Anthropic shrinks Claude Code usage limit without warning

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Since last week, users of Claude Code, especially those on the pricey $200-per-month Max plan, have been running into unexpected and frustrating usage limits. 

Many were suddenly hit with a vague message saying, “Claude usage limit reached,” along with a timer counting down until access resets. 

But with no official notice or explanation from Anthropic, people were left confused, thinking their subscription had silently changed or that usage tracking was off.

One user voiced frustration, saying there was no way they could’ve sent 900 messages in just 30 minutes, calling the tracking “no longer accurate.” 

Anthropic later confirmed they’re aware of the issue but didn’t give much detail, only saying some users were experiencing slower response times and they’re working on it.

The surprise shift has been especially disruptive for developers relying on Claude Code for projects. 

One anonymous user told TechCrunch that their work has completely stalled, and while they tried other AI tools like Gemini and Kimi, nothing matched Claude’s capabilities for coding.

At the same time, Anthropic’s wider network appears to be under strain. 

Several users reported API errors over the past few days, and the company’s status page showed six different incidents, even though it oddly still claimed 100% uptime.

The root of the confusion lies in how Anthropic handles its pricing and limits. Even the top-tier Max plan, which is supposed to offer 20 times the usage of the Pro plan, doesn’t guarantee a specific usage cap. 

Anthropic also states that free-tier limits “vary by demand,” meaning limits can change at any time. This has left users unable to predict when they might hit a wall.

Some heavy users admit that the Max plan offers an incredible deal, with one saying he regularly gets over $1,000 worth of value in a single day, but they’re urging Anthropic to be more open. 

“Just be transparent,” the user said. “The lack of communication just makes people lose confidence.”

Do you think Anthropic should guarantee specific usage limits for paid plans like Claude Max? Or is it reasonable for AI companies to adjust limits based on demand without prior notice? Tell us below in the comments, or reach us via our Twitter or Facebook.