Claude Code Token Limits Are Disappearing Too Fast, & Anthropic Knows About It

Anthropic says fixing Claude Code's token drain is its top priority, but developers paying up to $100 a month say the damage to their workflow is already done.

Written By : Annie Sharma | Updated at : 02 Apr 2026 12:21 PM (IST)

anthropic claude code users hit token limits faster than expected Claude Code Token Limits Are Disappearing Too Fast, & Anthropic Knows About It

Claude Pro starts at $20 a month, with higher-usage tiers going up to $100 or $200 per month.

Source : X.com

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

Anthropic is fixing Claude Code's unexpected token usage limits.
Users report rapid token depletion, affecting paid accounts more.
Peak-hour throttling and code bugs may contribute to issue.
Recent source code leak and DoD dispute also impact Anthropic.

Anthropic has said it is working to fix a problem affecting users of Claude Code, its AI-powered coding tool, where usage limits are being hit faster than expected. The company made the announcement on Reddit, calling it the "top priority" for the team.

Claude Code has grown in popularity among software developers in recent months, who use it as part of their daily workflow. Any disruption to the service can directly affect their work.

Why Are Claude Code Users Running Out of Tokens So Fast?

BBC reports that customers purchase tokens to use Anthropic's AI services, but the number of tokens consumed per task is not always clear. Several users responded to Anthropic's Reddit post with their own experiences.

One user noted they hit the token limit "much later" on their free account compared to their $100 (£75) a month paid account. Another flagged how bugs in the generated code can spiral quickly, saying "One session in a loop can drain your daily budget in minutes."

A third user pointed out the issue was not limited to Claude Code alone, writing: "A simple one sentence reply to a conversation just took me from 59% usage to 100%. How??"

The problem may also be connected to a change Anthropic introduced just last week, where it rolled out peak-hour throttling on Claude. This means tokens get consumed more quickly when demand for the service is higher.

Claude Pro starts at $20 a month, with higher-usage tiers going up to $100 or $200 per month. Business pricing is also available for larger organisations.

Other Recent Issues At Anthropic

Separately, Anthropic recently released part of its internal source code for Claude Code by mistake. An internal file containing 500,000 lines of code was published on GitHub due to what the company described as "human error, not a security breach," adding that "no sensitive customer data or credentials were exposed or involved."

Claude Code's source code was not entirely unknown, as independent developers had previously reverse-engineered it, and an earlier version had leaked in February 2025.

Anthropic is also currently in a legal dispute with the US government over how its tools can be used by the Department of Defense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are Claude Code users experiencing faster than expected token limit issues?

Anthropic is aware of the problem and is working to fix it as a top priority. Users are reporting that token consumption per task is unclear, and some bugs can lead to rapid draining of daily budgets.

Could peak-hour throttling be contributing to users hitting token limits faster?

Yes, Anthropic recently introduced peak-hour throttling on Claude. This means tokens can be consumed more quickly when demand for the service is high.

Are there different pricing tiers for Claude Pro?

Yes, Claude Pro starts at $20 per month, with higher-usage tiers available up to $100 or $200 per month. Business pricing is also offered.

Did Anthropic accidentally release sensitive information about Claude Code?

Anthropic mistakenly released part of its internal source code for Claude Code on GitHub due to human error. However, no sensitive customer data or credentials were exposed.

About the author Annie Sharma

Annie Sharma is a technology journalist at ABP Live English, focused on breaking down complex tech stories into clear, reader-friendly narratives. Gaining hands-on experience in digital storytelling and news writing with leading publications, Annie believes technology should feel accessible rather than overwhelming, and follows a clear, reader-first approach in her work.

For tips and queries, you can reach out to her at annies@abpnetwork.com.