effortLevel setting in settings.json is ignored on new session start

Description

The effortLevel setting configured in settings files is not applied when starting a new Claude Code session. Every new session starts with medium effort regardless of the setting.

Environment

• Claude Code version: 2.1.84
• OS: Windows 11 Pro 10.0.26200
• Shell: bash (Git Bash)
• Model: opus[1m]

Reproduction Steps

1. Set "effortLevel": "max" in ~/.claude/settings.json (global)
2. Set "effortLevel": "max" in .claude/settings.json (project)
3. Set "effortLevel": "max" in .claude/settings.local.json (project local)
4. Start a new Claude Code session

Expected Behavior

Session should start with max effort level as configured.

Actual Behavior

Session always starts with medium effort level. The setting is present in all three configuration files but none of them are respected.

Configuration Files

~/.claude/settings.json:

{
  "model": "opus[1m]",
  "effortLevel": "max"
}

.claude/settings.json:

{
  "effortLevel": "max"
}

.claude/settings.local.json:

{
  "effortLevel": "max"
}

All three files contain the setting, yet it is ignored on every new session.

🤖 Generated with Claude Code