Switch Claude Code to Fable 5.2: /model fable
As of 2026-11-12, the quickest way to use Claude Fable 5.2 in Claude Code is to type /model fable in a session, or use the full ID with /model claude-fable-5-2; the official model-config docs say Fable 5.2 requires Claude Code v2.1.321 or later, and from v2.1.321 the fable alias resolves to 5.2. Below are copy-paste forms for all three settings, the model field in settings.json, the ANTHROPIC_MODEL environment variable, ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL when you use your own API key, and the model field in CC Switch.
Updated 2026-11-13
Point this tool at the QCode endpoint — one key for Claude, GPT and Chinese models.
- Billed per token — live rates on /models
- Pay by card (Visa / Mastercard), Apple Pay, Google Pay or crypto
- Self-service: top up and activate instantly
Four official points
Minimum version required
The official model-config docs say Fable 5.2 needs v2.1.321 or later, and the changelog version history says fable resolves to Fable 5.2 from v2.1.321; an older client gets a 400 saying the version is too low, and the official fix is to run claude update and start a new session.
In-session switch
The official model-config docs say to run /model fable for Fable 5.2, or launch with claude --model fable; /model with no argument opens the picker. In Claude apps gateway sessions, use /model claude-fable-5-2 instead.
Environment variable
In the official priority list, the environment variable form is ANTHROPIC_MODEL set to an alias or model name; the model field in a settings file configures it permanently, and /model saves your choice to the model field in user settings. ANTHROPIC_MODEL applies only to the session you launch with it.
Full ID and QCode endpoint
QCode's /models lists claude-fable-5-2; with your own API key, the endpoints doc has you set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL to https://api.qcode.cc/api and put the full ID claude-fable-5-2 in model. Claude models only use the Anthropic endpoint. Billing is per token, with per-model rates on /models.
What to change for Fable 5.2
As of 2026-11-12, using Fable 5.2 in Claude Code comes down to one choice: which model to select. The official version history says fable resolves to 5.2 from v2.1.321, so /model fable gives you 5.2; to pin the version, use the full ID /model claude-fable-5-2. Also, ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL decides where requests are sent, not which model answers, so fill the two apart. For the ultracode toggle versus subscription plans see /claude-code-ultracode-guide, and for mainland access and payment see /claude-code-china-guide.
Picked 5.2 but still on an old model? Check the version, alias and base URL
Check three places in this order, all from the official docs. ① Version: below v2.1.321 the API returns a 400 that reads 'Claude Code … does not support this model; version … or newer is required' (error code claude_code_version_too_old), so run claude update and start a new session. ② A stale setting: if the old model keeps coming back, a stale ID is set somewhere; check the places a model can be set in the official priority order (/model, --model, ANTHROPIC_MODEL, the model field in settings files) and remove the stale value. ③ The base URL: when ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL points at a gateway, the official docs say a gateway not configured to serve claude-fable-5-2 rejects that model; check the full ID against that endpoint's model catalog, because a new model can reach the Anthropic API before another provider offers it. If every model fails behind a gateway, check that it accepts the tool search fields.
Timeline
Claude Code 2.1.257 (2026-09-01) added Fable 5.1 (claude-fable-5-1) as the default Fable model; the official version history says fable resolved to Fable 5.1 from v2.1.257.
Claude Code 2.1.321 (2026-11-09) added Claude Fable 5.2 (claude-fable-5-2) as the default Fable model; the official model page lists 2026-11-09 as the release date, and the version history says fable resolves to Fable 5.2 from v2.1.321.
QCode's /models lists both claude-fable-5-2 and the 1M spelling claude-fable-5-2[1m], shown as 1M / 128K; the official sources and QCode pages on this page were all checked on 2026-11-12.
Confirmed vs not published
Confirmed (official wording)
Claude Code official changelog: 2.1.321 (2026-11-09) added Claude Fable 5.2 (claude-fable-5-2) as the default Fable model, 2.1.322 is dated 2026-11-10, and 2.1.257 (2026-09-01) added Fable 5.1. Official version history: fable resolves to Fable 5.2 from v2.1.321 and to Fable 5.1 from v2.1.257; Fable 5.2 requires v2.1.321 or later. The official priority list of ways to set the model: /model fable in a session, claude --model fable at startup, the ANTHROPIC_MODEL environment variable, and the model field in a settings file; /model writes your choice into the model field in user settings. Unless ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_FABLE_MODEL is set, fable resolves to Fable 5 in Claude apps gateway sessions and to Fable 5.2 everywhere else; use /model claude-fable-5-1 to stay on 5.1. Anthropic official: the model ID is claude-fable-5-2, released 2026-11-09, with a 1M-token context and 128K-token max output, where 1M is the default and needs no beta header. QCode live: /models lists claude-fable-5-2 and claude-fable-5-2[1m], the endpoints doc has Claude Code set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL to https://api.qcode.cc/api, Claude models only use the Anthropic endpoint, billing is per token with per-model rates on /models. CC Switch official: switching replaces only key fields such as endpoint, key, model name and protocol; Claude Code's config editor is ~/.claude/settings.json, and the provider JSON editor can override ANTHROPIC_MODEL and related environment variables (the manual's example is the Codex OAuth preset).
What the official pages do not state
As of 2026-11-12, the official Claude Code changelog and model-config docs go only as far as v2.1.321 pointing fable at Fable 5.2; the next Fable model ID, its release date, and which version fable will resolve to next and on what date are not stated on any official page. The docs do say aliases follow the provider's recommended version and update over time, but give no future version number or date; later official pages will decide.
Alias or full ID
Follow the newest Fable: use the fable alias
The official model-config docs say /model fable is Fable 5.2, and aliases follow the provider's recommended version, so the same alias moves on when a newer version ships. Unless ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_FABLE_MODEL is set, fable resolves to Fable 5 in Claude apps gateway sessions and to Fable 5.2 everywhere else.
Pin a version or go back to 5.1: use the full ID
To pin one generation, use the full model name: /model claude-fable-5-2. To go back to Fable 5.1, run /model claude-fable-5-1 (the rollback command given in the changelog); Fable 5 is /model claude-fable-5. For third-party deployments, ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_FABLE_MODEL pins what the alias resolves to.
Copy-paste configurations
① In a session: type /model fable to switch to Fable 5.2 at once; /model with no argument opens the picker. ② To make it the default for new sessions: set the model field to claude-fable-5-2 in ~/.claude/settings.json, that is {"model": "claude-fable-5-2"} (the official settings doc shows this field), and /model also writes your choice to it. ③ For one launch only: set ANTHROPIC_MODEL=claude-fable-5-2, or start with claude --model claude-fable-5-2. ④ With your own API key: set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL to https://api.qcode.cc/api (QCode endpoints doc) and ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN to your key (QCode CC Switch doc), with the full ID claude-fable-5-2 still in model; Claude models only use the Anthropic endpoint. ⑤ In CC Switch: add a custom provider, enter ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN as the official manual describes, and put the model name in that provider's ANTHROPIC_MODEL; the manual notes a model picked temporarily with /model in the tool isn't saved back to the provider, so edit the provider to change it for good. For CC Switch fields and troubleshooting see docs.qcode.cc/docs/ide/cc-switch.
Using it on QCode
QCode supports claude-fable-5-2: in Claude Code and other Anthropic-protocol tools, just set the model to claude-fable-5-2 with Base URL https://api.qcode.cc/api; the same key also calls claude-fable-5-1, claude-fable-5, claude-opus-5-5 and more. Billing is per token, with per-model rates on /models. Not ready for a monthly plan? Pay-as-you-go Packs start at $4 for a one-time quota you use within 7 days; if you already have a Personal Plan, add a booster pack when you need more quota.
Frequently asked questions
How do I use Fable 5.2 in Claude Code?
Type /model fable in a session to switch to Fable 5.2 (official model-config wording), or use the full ID /model claude-fable-5-2; you need Claude Code v2.1.321 or later, and on an older build run claude update first. /model with no argument opens the picker, and in Claude apps gateway sessions the docs say to use /model claude-fable-5-2 instead.
Which version do I need to upgrade to?
Fable 5.2 requires Claude Code v2.1.321 or later (official model-config wording); in the changelog, 2.1.321 is dated 2026-11-09 and 2.1.322 is dated 2026-11-10. Check your current version with claude --version, run claude update, then start a new session; below the minimum the API returns a 400 saying the version is too low.
How do I fill the model field in CC Switch?
Per the CC Switch user manual, the key fields in a provider config for Claude Code are the endpoint, key, model name and protocol, and Claude Code's editor is ~/.claude/settings.json. The manual says the provider's JSON editor can override ANTHROPIC_MODEL and related environment variables (its example is the Codex OAuth preset), so for a custom QCode provider put the full ID claude-fable-5-2 in that provider's ANTHROPIC_MODEL. The manual also notes that a model you pick temporarily with /model in the tool isn't saved back to the provider: switching away and back returns to the value saved in the provider, so edit the provider to change it for good. QCode's CC Switch page adds that from v3.20.3 the Claude provider editor has a per-role model mapping panel (Sonnet / Opus / Fable / Haiku / subagent). For QCode's ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN values see docs.qcode.cc/docs/ide/cc-switch.
What is the difference between fable and claude-fable-5-2?
fable is an alias and claude-fable-5-2 is the full model ID. The official model-config docs say aliases follow the provider's recommended version: unless ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_FABLE_MODEL is set, fable resolves to Fable 5 in Claude apps gateway sessions and to Fable 5.2 everywhere else; to pin a version, use the full name /model claude-fable-5-2. A gateway that isn't configured to serve claude-fable-5-2 rejects requests for that model, and the docs say to select the full ID explicitly in that case.
How do I switch back to 5.1?
Run /model claude-fable-5-1: it is the rollback command in the Claude Code changelog, and the official model-config docs say to select Fable 5.1 by model ID (Fable 5 is /model claude-fable-5). From v2.1.321, a claude-fable-5-1 choice saved in your user settings moves once to the fable alias on Pro, Max and Ultra plans (on Team and Enterprise once your organization allows it), so run /model claude-fable-5-1 again afterwards to return to 5.1. Console accounts, third-party providers, and project, local or managed settings keep claude-fable-5-1.
How do I enable the 1M context window?
Fable 5.2 already has a 1M context by default, with no extra switch: the official Claude Code model-config docs say Fable models run with the 1M window by default with no [1m] suffix, and Anthropic's context-windows doc says 1M is the default with no beta header; the official spec is 1M tokens of context and 128K tokens max output. To select a 1M variant by name, the official form is to append [1m] to an alias or full model name, and QCode's /models lists the 1M spelling as claude-fable-5-2[1m]. With a custom ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL, the docs say recognized models keep the same context window they have on the Anthropic API.
Sources
Claude Code official: changelog, model-config, settings, environment variables and errors docs; Anthropic official: the Fable 5.2 model page, models overview, migration guide and context-windows doc; CC Switch official repo: README and user manual; QCode: qcode.cc/models, the endpoints and CC Switch pages on docs.qcode.cc, and the live status page. All fetched and checked on 2026-11-12.
Get on Fable 5.2 in Claude Code
Create a QCode key, billed per token with per-model rates on /models, then type /model fable in Claude Code to start.
Related
One-time quota packs: no monthly plan, valid 7 days
No subscription: buy a one-time quota valid 7 days; per-model rates are on /models.
claude-fable-5-2: 400 Error Messages, Causes and Fixes (2026-11)
From the official Anthropic migration guide and API errors doc: the verbatim 400 error text, reason and before / after fix for the prefix check, computer_20251124, the advisor model, tool_choice and thinking parameters on claude-fable-5-2; plus what stays unchanged, Claude Code v2.1.321 and the same fixes on QCode.
magpie vs CC Switch
A comparison of the two tools and how they switch providers.
Crypto payment guide
Nine coins, 56 networks, zero platform fee for AI coding API credits.
Official statements checked on 2026-11-12 against Anthropic, Claude Code and CC Switch pages; model availability and rates follow qcode.cc/models.