@ai-sdk/anthropic 4.0.63 → 4.0.66

package/docs/05-anthropic.mdx

@@ -1572,13 +1572,16 @@ This sends `tool_reference` blocks to Anthropic, which loads the corresponding d
 
 ### Mid-Conversation System Controls
 
-With `claude-opus-5-5` and `claude-fable-5-1`, a mid-conversation system message
-can be cleared before the next user message with `clearAt: 'next_user_message'`,
-or set the effort for the next turn without invalidating the prompt cache. The provider adds the required
+With `claude-opus-5-5` and `claude-fable-5-1`, use an empty system message to
+change effort from the next user turn. A separate system message containing text
+can provide a turn-scoped reminder with `clearAt: 'next_user_message'`: its text
+applies until the next user message. Keep the reminder after a user turn and
+before an assistant turn, or at the end of the messages array.
+The provider adds the required
 `mid-conversation-system-clear-at-2026-08-21` and
 `mid-conversation-output-config-2026-07-01` beta headers automatically.
 
-```ts highlight="17-25"
+```ts highlight="16-24,29-37"
 import { anthropic } from '@ai-sdk/anthropic';
 import { generateText } from 'ai';
 
@@ -1596,10 +1599,9 @@ const result = await generateText({
     },
     {
       role: 'system',
-      content: 'For the next turn, verify every compatibility claim.',
+      content: '',
       providerOptions: {
         anthropic: {
-          clearAt: 'next_user_message',
           effort: 'high',
         },
       },
@@ -1608,19 +1610,39 @@ const result = await generateText({
       role: 'user',
       content: 'Complete the plan.',
     },
+    {
+      role: 'system',
+      content: 'For this turn, verify every compatibility claim.',
+      providerOptions: {
+        anthropic: {
+          clearAt: 'next_user_message',
+        },
+      },
+    },
   ],
 });
 ```
 
 An effort-only system message can use an empty content array at the API level;
 in an AI SDK prompt, set `content: ''`. The provider serializes it as
-`content: []`.
+`content: []`. These effort-only messages can appear first or later in the
+conversation, including consecutively. The provider preserves their order. The new
+level applies from the next user turn until a later message changes it.
+Initial instruction text is sent in the top-level `system` field.
+
+Consecutive inline system messages are evaluated as a group. If an effort-only
+message is adjacent to a system message containing text, the whole group must
+follow Anthropic's [content placement rules](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/build-with-claude/mid-conversation-system-messages#limitations).
+
+Turn-scoped messages with `clearAt` support text only. Put effort updates in a
+separate message, as in the example above.
 
 <Note>
-  `clearAt` and per-message `effort` apply only to mid-conversation system
-  messages. When used on the initial system message, the provider ignores them
-  and emits a warning. Use the top-level `effort` provider option to configure
-  effort for the full request.
+  `clearAt` applies only to mid-conversation system messages. On initial system
+  messages, the provider ignores `clearAt` and effort attached to non-empty
+  content and emits a warning. Use an empty system message for an initial
+  per-message effort setting, or the top-level `effort` provider option to
+  configure effort for the full request.
 </Note>
 
 ### Mid-Conversation Tool Changes

package/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@ai-sdk/anthropic",
-  "version": "4.0.63",
+  "version": "4.0.66",
   "type": "module",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
   "sideEffects": false,
@@ -35,11 +35,11 @@
     }
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@ai-sdk/provider": "4.0.18",
-    "@ai-sdk/provider-utils": "5.0.47"
+    "@ai-sdk/provider": "4.0.19",
+    "@ai-sdk/provider-utils": "5.0.50"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@ai-sdk/test-server": "2.0.1",
+    "@ai-sdk/test-server": "2.0.2",
     "@types/node": "22.19.19",
     "@vercel/ai-tsconfig": "0.0.0",
     "tsup": "^8.5.1",

package/src/anthropic-language-model-options.ts

@@ -82,9 +82,10 @@ export const anthropicSystemMessageProviderOptions = z.object({
   clearAt: z.literal('next_user_message').optional(),
 
   /**
-   * Sets the model effort for the turn that follows this mid-conversation
-   * system message. The required `mid-conversation-output-config-2026-07-01`
-   * beta is added automatically.
+   * Sets the model effort from the next user turn until a later message
+   * changes it. An effort-only system message with empty content can appear
+   * first. The required `mid-conversation-output-config-2026-07-01` beta is
+   * added automatically.
    */
   effort: z.enum(['low', 'medium', 'high', 'xhigh', 'max']).optional(),
 

package/src/convert-to-anthropic-prompt.ts

@@ -204,11 +204,6 @@ export async function convertToAnthropicPrompt({
           });
         }
 
-        // The first block becomes the top-level system prompt. Later system
-        // blocks are sent as inline system messages — always when they carry
-        // tool changes (which are only valid mid-conversation), and otherwise
-        // only when a top-level system prompt already exists (preserving the
-        // existing hoisting behavior for plain text).
         const toolChangeCount = convertedMessages.reduce(
           (count, message) => count + message.toolChangeCount,
           0,
@@ -230,12 +225,26 @@ export async function convertToAnthropicPrompt({
             });
           }
 
+          // Initial instruction text goes in the top-level system field.
+          // Effort-only messages stay in the messages array.
           for (const message of convertedMessages) {
-            if (message.clearAt != null || message.effort != null) {
+            if (
+              message.content.length === 0 &&
+              message.clearAt == null &&
+              message.effort != null
+            ) {
+              messages.push({
+                role: 'system',
+                content: [],
+                output_config: { effort: message.effort },
+              });
+              betas.add('mid-conversation-output-config-2026-07-01');
+            } else if (message.clearAt != null || message.effort != null) {
               warnings.push({
                 type: 'other',
                 message:
-                  'clearAt and effort on the initial system message are not supported by Anthropic. ' +
+                  'clearAt and effort on this initial system message are not supported by Anthropic. ' +
+                  'Use a separate effort-only system message with empty content to set effort. ' +
                   'These options have been ignored.',
               });
             }