Anthropic has imposed strict usage limits on its AI coding tool, Claude Code, with the most significant impact on users of the Max plan, which costs $200 per month.
It is reported that many developers suddenly received a "usage limit reached" notification when using Claude Code, with the limit resetting within a few hours, but specific details about the limits were not disclosed. This unannounced adjustment caused rapid frustration within the developer community, especially on platforms like GitHub, where many Max plan users complained that their workflow was disrupted and project progress was hindered.
Background and Details of the Limit Adjustment
According to AIbase, this restriction primarily targets heavy users, especially those who run Claude Code "around the clock." The official announced on July 28 that new weekly usage limits will be implemented for the Pro plan ($20/month) and Max plan ($100/month and $200/month) starting August 28, affecting less than 5% of users. Max plan users can purchase additional usage at standard API rates, but specific limits still depend on variables such as code repository size and project complexity, lacking clear standards.
In addition, Anthropic's pricing model has always been characterized by dynamic limits. The Max plan promises 20 times more usage than the Pro plan, and the Pro plan offers five times more than the free plan. However, actual limits vary based on factors such as message length, file attachments, and session duration, making it difficult for users to accurately plan their usage.
User Feedback and Trust Crisis
The developer community expressed strong dissatisfaction with Anthropic's "silent" adjustments. Many users stated that the lack of transparent communication made them question the platform's predictability and reliability. One developer pointed out in a community forum: "A small number of requests within 30 minutes triggered a limit of 900 messages, which clearly doesn't make sense." At the same time, Anthropic's status page shows the service is running at 100% normal, but recent frequent API overloads and multiple service interruptions contradict the official statement.
Users also mentioned that the high cost of the Max plan should ensure greater usage freedom, but the new limits have raised doubts about its value for money. Some developers are beginning to explore other AI coding tools, although they acknowledge that Claude Code still has competitive features and there is no immediate alternative available.
Anthropic's Response and Future Outlook
Facing the strong reaction from the community, Anthropic responded via email and social media, stating that they are addressing performance issues with Claude Code and promising that the new limits will help ensure fairness and curb behaviors such as account sharing and 24/7 background operations. Spokesperson Amie Rotherham emphasized that the majority of users will not be affected by the new limits, and Max plan users can still enjoy priority access to the Sonnet4 and Opus4 models, with an estimated weekly usage of 240 to 480 hours and 24 to 40 hours respectively.
However, Anthropic's silent adjustments and vague limit policies have sparked broader discussions about transparency in AI services. AIbase believes that with the surge in demand for AI coding tools, Anthropic may be tightening policies due to infrastructure pressure or cost considerations, but if communication mechanisms are not improved, it could further erode user trust. In the future, Anthropic needs to find a balance between technological optimization and user experience to maintain its leading position in the AI field.