# Claude Code Release Notes Visualizations

Visual diagrams tracking the evolution of [Claude Code](https://code.claude.com) from beta (v0.2.21) to current (v2.1.62+).

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## 📊 1. Evolution Timeline

![Claude Code Evolution Timeline](./timeline.svg)

<details>
<summary>📁 Source file: <a href="timeline.svg">timeline.svg</a></summary>
</details>

| Era | Version Range | Key Characteristics |
|-----|---------------|---------------------|
| **Early Beta** | 0.2.21 - 0.2.93 | Foundation features: MCP protocol, slash commands, Vim bindings, @-mentions |
| **Pre-GA** | 0.2.93 - 1.0.0 | Maturation: SDKs released, web search, session persistence (`--resume`) |
| **GA Release** | 1.0.0 - 1.0.59 | General availability: Sonnet 4 & Opus 4, custom agents, background tasks |
| **Plugin Era** | 1.0.60 - 1.0.125 | Extensibility focus: Plugin system, skills framework, LSP tool, sandbox mode |
| **2.0 Major** | 2.0.0 - 2.0.50 | Complete overhaul: VS Code extension, `/rewind`, new UI/UX, Claude Agent SDK |
| **Current Era** | 2.1.0 - 2.1.62+ | AI-native features: Agent Teams, Opus 4.5/4.6, Fast Mode, auto-memory, 1M context |

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## 📈 2. Feature Evolution Matrix

![Claude Code Feature Evolution Matrix](./features.svg)

<details>
<summary>📁 Source file: <a href="features.svg">features.svg</a></summary>
</details>

### Feature Categories

- **Core Tools** — Bash, file operations, LSP, PDF support
- **MCP Integration** — Protocol evolution, SSE, OAuth, streamable HTTP
- **Extensibility** — Slash commands → Hooks → Plugins → Skills
- **Agents/AI** — Custom agents → Subagents → Agent Teams
- **Developer UX** — Vim bindings, thinking mode, `/rewind`, keybindings
- **Session Management** — Resume, named sessions, teleport
- **Platforms** — CLI → VS Code → Desktop → Chrome extension
- **Models** — Sonnet 3.7/4 → Opus 4 → 4.5 → 4.6 (Fast Mode)
- **Permissions/Security** — Approval system evolution, sandbox mode
- **Input/Output** — Web fetch/search, image paste, output styles
- **Automation** — Todo list, background tasks, task system
- **Context** — CLAUDE.md, `/context` command, compaction
- **Collaboration** — SDK, export, stats, sharing

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## 🏗️ 3. Architecture Overview (v2.1.x)

![Claude Code Architecture Overview](./architecture.svg)

<details>
<summary>📁 Source file: <a href="architecture.svg">architecture.svg</a></summary>
</details>

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        CLAUDE CODE v2.1.x ARCHITECTURE                      │
├─────────────────────┬─────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────┤
│     🔧 CORE         │      🧩 EXTENSIBILITY   │        🤖 AI & AGENTS       │
│     ENGINE          │                         │                             │
│  • Bash Tool        │  • MCP Protocol         │  • Agent Teams              │
│  • File Operations  │  • Skills               │  • Subagents                │
│  • Search           │  • Hooks                │  • Plan Mode                │
│  • LSP Tool         │  • Plugins              │  • Auto-Memory              │
│  • Web Fetch        │                         │  • Fast Mode (Opus 4.6)     │
├─────────────────────┴─────────────────────────┴─────────────────────────────┤
│   💻 PLATFORMS        📁 SESSION & CONTEXT         🔌 SDK & INTEGRATION      │
│  • Terminal CLI      • --resume/--continue        • Claude Agent SDK        │
│  • VS Code Extension • CLAUDE.md / .claude/rules  • Remote Control          │
│  • Desktop App       • /compact, /rewind, /stats  • Enterprise/hooks        │
│  • Web/Chrome        • Auto-memory                • Session teleport        │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

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## 🚀 Recent Major Additions (v2.1.x)

| Feature | Description | Version |
|---------|-------------|---------|
| **Agent Teams** | Multi-agent collaboration with teammates working in parallel via tmux | 2.1.32 |
| **Fast Mode** | Accelerated responses for Opus 4.6 with full 1M context window | 2.1.36 |
| **Auto-Memory** | Claude automatically records and recalls useful context | 2.1.32 |
| **Opus 4.6** | Latest frontier model with thinking mode by default | 2.1.32 |
| **Task System** | New task management with dependency tracking and background execution | 2.1.16 |
| **Custom Keybindings** | Configurable keyboard shortcuts with chord sequences | 2.1.18 |
| **Claude Code for Desktop** | Native desktop application | 2.0.51 |
| **Plugin System** | Install extensions from GitHub/npm marketplaces | 2.0.12 |
| **VS Code Extension** | Full IDE integration with secondary sidebar support | 2.0.0 |

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## 📈 Version Statistics

- **Total versions analyzed:** 170+ releases
- **Timeline span:** Early 2024 (Beta) → Present
- **Major version milestones:**
  - v1.0.0 — General Availability (May 2024)
  - v2.0.0 — VS Code Extension & UI overhaul (Oct 2024)
  - v2.1.0 — Skills & Agent Teams era (Jan 2025)

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## 🔗 Resources

- [Official Claude Code Documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs)
- [Release Notes](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/release-notes)
- [Claude Code GitHub](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code)

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## 📁 Files in This Directory

| File | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `README.md` | This documentation with referenced SVGs |
| `timeline.svg` | Evolution timeline diagram |
| `features.svg` | Feature evolution matrix |
| `architecture.svg` | Architecture overview diagram |
| `source.md` | Source release notes data |

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*Generated from analysis of cc_releasenote.md covering versions 0.2.21 through 2.1.62*
