Anthropic Ends Third-Party Tool Support for Claude Subscriptions to Manage Capacity

Apr 5, 2026 · Updated Apr 25, 2026

Anthropic is updating its Claude subscription terms to exclude usage through third-party tools like OpenClaw. Starting April 4, 2026, at 12pm PT, these platforms can no longer draw from standard monthly message limits. Instead, users must connect via a Claude API key or purchase new, discounted usage bundles.

This change addresses the strain that automated third-party agents place on compute resources. Standard subscriptions were built for human-speed chat, not the high-volume usage patterns typical of external tools. By decoupling these services, the company is prioritizing capacity for its own direct products and API customers.

If you use external tools to access Claude, you can transition to pay-as-you-go API billing or buy discounted usage bundles. Current subscribers will receive a one-time credit equal to their monthly plan cost. If the new policy doesn't fit your workflow, you can request a full refund via email.

View the full update on support.claude.com

Boris Cherny

@bchernyApr 3

Starting tomorrow at 12pm PT, Claude subscriptions will no longer cover usage on third-party tools like OpenClaw. You can still use these tools with your Claude login via extra usage bundles (now available at a discount), or with a Claude API key.

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