[DOCS] Prompt history docs omit `~/.claude/history.jsonl` storage details

Documentation Type

Missing documentation (feature not documented)

Documentation Location

https://code.claude.com/docs/en/interactive-mode

Section/Topic

Prompt and input-history storage, especially the backing ~/.claude/history.jsonl file for per-working-directory history

Current Documentation

The interactive-mode docs currently say:

Claude Code maintains command history for the current session: Input history is stored per working directory Input history resets when you run /clear to start a new session. The previous session's conversation is preserved and can be resumed. * Use Up/Down arrows to navigate (see keyboard shortcuts above)

The .claude directory reference page currently says:

Where Claude Code reads CLAUDE.md, settings.json, hooks, skills, commands, subagents, rules, and auto memory. Explore the .claude directory in your project and ~/.claude in your home directory.

And its file reference table lists global files such as:

| ~/.claude.json | Global only | App state, OAuth, UI toggles, personal MCP servers | | projects/<project>/memory/ | Global only | Auto memory: Claude's notes to itself across sessions | | keybindings.json | Global only | Custom keyboard shortcuts |

No current page documents ~/.claude/history.jsonl or explains that it is the file behind prompt history.

What's Wrong or Missing?

Changelog v2.1.88 says:

Fixed prompt history entries containing CJK or emoji being silently dropped when they fall on a 4KB boundary in ~/.claude/history.jsonl

That changelog entry exposes a real user-facing storage file behind prompt history, but the docs never describe it.

Right now the docs tell users that input history exists and is stored per working directory, but they do not explain:

1. that the backing file is ~/.claude/history.jsonl,
2. how that file relates to per-working-directory prompt history,
3. how it differs from resumed conversation/session history stored elsewhere,
4. where users should look if they need to inspect, back up, clear, or debug missing prompt-history entries.

Because of that gap, users can learn that ~/.claude/history.jsonl exists only from a bug-fix changelog entry, not from the actual history or .claude reference docs.

Suggested Improvement

Add a short note to the command-history section in https://code.claude.com/docs/en/interactive-mode explaining that prompt history persists per working directory and is stored in ~/.claude/history.jsonl.

Also add history.jsonl to https://code.claude.com/docs/en/claude-directory so the global ~/.claude file reference covers the persistent history file alongside ~/.claude.json, keybindings.json, and auto-memory directories.

At minimum, the docs should clarify:

• what ~/.claude/history.jsonl stores,
• that it is Claude-managed local state,
• that it is separate from resumed conversation transcripts,
• when a user might want to clear or copy it during troubleshooting or migration.

Impact

Medium - Makes feature difficult to understand

Additional Context

Affected Pages:

| Page | Context |
|------|---------|
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/interactive-mode | Command history section says input history is stored per working directory, but not where the persistent history file lives |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/claude-directory | Global ~/.claude reference documents several persistent files, but not history.jsonl |

Total scope: 2 pages affected

Source: Changelog v2.1.88

Exact changelog entry:

Fixed prompt history entries containing CJK or emoji being silently dropped when they fall on a 4KB boundary in ~/.claude/history.jsonl