Anthropic has announced a key change to how its Claude subscriptions work, particularly affecting users who rely on third-party tools.
Starting April 4 at 12 pm PT, the company will no longer include third-party tool usage—such as OpenClaw—within standard Claude subscription limits. This means that while users can still access these tools using their Claude accounts, the usage will now be charged separately under a pay-as-you-go model.
The update was also confirmed by Boris Cherny, who leads Claude Code, noting that subscription plans will no longer cover activity on external platforms. Instead, users who wish to continue using such tools can either purchase additional usage bundles or connect through a Claude API key.
Initially, the change will apply to OpenClaw, with plans to extend the policy to other third-party integrations over time. Users interested in continued access will need to manually enable extra usage on their accounts.
Anthropic explained that the decision is driven by infrastructure limitations. According to the company, third-party tools tend to generate usage patterns that place significantly higher demands on their systems than originally anticipated. As a result, the company is shifting its focus toward supporting users who rely directly on its core products and API services.
To help users adjust, Anthropic is offering a one-time credit equivalent to the cost of a monthly subscription. In addition, discounted usage bundles will be made available for those needing extra capacity.
Subscribers who are not satisfied with the change will also have the option to request a refund, with further details to be shared via email.
Also Read: Anthropic Accidentally Exposes Claude Code Source Code
