[DOCS] CLI reference and headless docs missing --bare flag documentation

Documentation Type

Missing documentation (feature not documented)

Documentation Location

https://code.claude.com/docs/en/cli-reference

Section/Topic

"Flags" table in CLI reference, and the "Non-interactive mode" section in headless docs

Current Documentation

No documentation currently exists for the --bare flag. The CLI reference flags table (which lists --print, --output-format, --model, etc.) has no --bare entry. The headless docs (headless.md) describe -p / --print usage but do not mention --bare as a companion flag.

The apiKeyHelper setting is documented in settings.md and authentication.md, but only in the context of general auth configuration, not as a --bare-specific requirement.

What's Wrong or Missing?

Changelog v2.1.81 added --bare flag for scripted -p calls. This flag:

• Skips hooks, LSP, plugin sync, and skill directory walks for faster startup
• Requires ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or an apiKeyHelper via --settings (OAuth and keychain auth are disabled)
• Fully disables auto-memory

None of this is documented anywhere. Users writing scripts that call claude -p for automation have no way to discover or learn about --bare from the docs.

Suggested Improvement

A. Add --bare row to the CLI reference flags table

Add after the --print entry:

| Flag | Description |
|------|-------------|
| --bare | Lightweight mode for scripted -p calls. Skips hooks, LSP, plugin sync, and skill directory walks. Requires ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or an apiKeyHelper via --settings (OAuth and keychain auth are disabled). Auto-memory is fully disabled. |

B. Add a section to the headless docs

Add a "Lightweight scripted mode" subsection to the headless/non-interactive docs explaining when to use --bare vs plain -p, the startup performance benefit, and the auth requirements.

Impact

High - Prevents users from using a feature

Additional Context

Affected Pages:

| Page | Context |
|------|---------|
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/cli-reference | Flags table missing --bare entry |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/headless | Non-interactive mode docs missing --bare usage |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/settings | apiKeyHelper documented but not linked to --bare requirement |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/authentication | Auth precedence rules don't mention --bare constraints |

Total scope: 4 pages affected

Source: Changelog v2.1.81 — "Added --bare flag for scripted -p calls — skips hooks, LSP, plugin sync, and skill directory walks; requires ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or an apiKeyHelper via --settings (OAuth and keychain auth disabled); auto-memory fully disabled"