Claude API adds model capability discovery via updated Models endpoint
Models API Enhancement
The Claude Platform has updated the Models API to expose comprehensive model capability information. Developers can now query model metadata programmatically rather than relying on static documentation.
What's New
The GET /v1/models and GET /v1/models/{model_id} endpoints now return:
max_input_tokens: Maximum input context window for the modelmax_tokens: Maximum output token generation limitcapabilitiesobject: Structured data describing what features each model supports
Developer Impact
This enables dynamic model selection and capability checking at runtime. Rather than hardcoding assumptions about model features, applications can query the API to discover:
- Which models support extended thinking
- Token limits for batching or context management
- Feature availability before making requests
This is particularly valuable for applications that need to adapt behavior based on available model capabilities or that need to select optimal models for specific workloads.