Claude Code “does not support this model”: Update Past 2.1.255 (Not a Model Ban)

Bottom line: Claude Code saying does not support this model is an outdated CLI, not a model ban. The official text requires version 2.1.255 or newer and tells you to run claude update (or update the desktop app / the binary your IDE extension ships). We checked the Error reference on November 9, 2026 and our box CLI version; we did not drive a logged-in session on a pinned old binary.

Exact wording

From Anthropic’s Error reference (fetched 2026-11-09; page mentions up to v2.1.318):

API Error: 400 Claude Code 2.1.219 does not support this model; version 2.1.255 or newer is required. Run 'claude update', or update the Claude desktop app, then try again.

Error code: claude_code_version_too_old. Org-policy variant:

API Error: 400 Claude Code 2.1.240 is older than the minimum version required by your organization's policy. Run 'claude update', or update the Claude desktop app, to continue.

The API checks the version reported by the Claude Code binary that made the request.

Not a ban

Message	Meaning	First step
does not support this model; version … or newer is required	CLI below that model’s minimum	claude update, new session
older than the minimum version required by your organization's policy	Org floor is higher	Upgrade before continuing
Model "…" is restricted by your organization's settings	Admin disabled the model	Pick another with /model
Selected-model / connect errors	Different issues	{I:https://www.binmage.com/claude-code-unable-to-connect-to-api/	Unable to connect}

What we verified (2026-11-09)

1. Official wording matches the block above (including the 2.1.255 example).

2. On this box: claude --version → 2.1.312 (Claude Code) (already above 2.1.255). We also downloaded @anthropic-ai/[email protected]; its package.json reports 2.1.219, matching the docs’ old-version example.

3. Not done: forcing a 400 by selecting a newer model under a logged-in 2.1.219 session—that would replace the working CLI and needs auth. Fixes below follow the official page.

Update the binary that sent the request

• Installed CLI: claude update, then start a new session.
• Claude desktop app: update the app.
• VS Code / Cursor extension binary: update the extension.
• Agent SDK bundle: upgrade the SDK and restart (rebuild single-file executables).

On the stable channel, claude update may stop below the required minimum—move to latest, then update again. Managed settings that pin channel/version need an admin change.

For the per-model wording only, you can /model to another model in the current session; the org-policy wording requires an update first.

FAQ

Do I need to log in again?

Docs stress a new session after updating. Re-login is for other cases (plan changes, etc.).

More errors

Claude Code error list. Related: Invalid effort level.