[BUG] Git instructions in system prompt despite setting `CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_GIT_INSTRUCTIONS=1` and/or `includeGitInstructions=false`

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

I want to remove the Git instructions from my system prompt in certain circumstances. The environment variable CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_GIT_INSTRUCTIONS=1 and/or setting "includeGitInstructions": false are supposed to allow for this, but do not appear to work in practice.

What Should Happen?

I set the environment variable to true/1 or the setting to false, I would expect there to be no reference to the git setup in my project in the system prompt.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Start Claude Code by running claude on the CLI and send a simple message such as "this is a test". Use a tool to capture the system prompt being used (I set up a local LangFuse proxy to do it but other methods are also the same). The system prompt will include a section like:

gitStatus: This is the git status at the start of the conversation. Note that this status is a snapshot in time, and will not update during the conversation.
Current branch: main

Main branch (you will usually use this for PRs): main

Status:
D deleted_file.py
A added_file.py
M modified_file.py

Recent commits:
d60b3d1 one recent commit
91a6ec9 another recent commit
bbd8d54 a third recent commit

1. Close CC and start it again with the env var set like CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_GIT_INSTRUCTIONS=1 claude and type another simple message. Examine the system prompt used for this chat, and the above git instructions are still there.

1. Close CC and modify the settings in any location (~/.claude/settings.json, .claude/settings.json, .claude/settings.local.json). Add the setting "includeGitInstructions": false. Close the settings file and start CC again from the CLI with claude. Enter a simple message and examine the system prompt used. The git instructions are still there.

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.72

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

iTerm2

Additional Information

_No response_