Anthropic Limits Access to Claude: OpenClaw Left Out

Since April 4, 2026, at 9 PM, Anthropic has implemented a new policy regarding its Claude Pro and Max subscriptions. From now on, these subscriptions no longer cover usage through third-party tools such as OpenClaw. This decision, announced by Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code at Anthropic, was communicated on X just before it took effect. Users who were utilizing AI agents through these tools will now need to pay an additional fee or use an API key.

The official reason provided by Anthropic for this restriction is related to the capacity of its systems. Third-party tools, like OpenClaw, place disproportionate pressure on Anthropic's infrastructure, particularly due to the high token consumption by autonomous AI agents. In an email sent to subscribers, Anthropic clearly stated that it needed to prioritize its resources for users of its core products such as claude.ai, Claude Code, and Claude Cowork.

For those who wish to continue using OpenClaw, two options are available: activate "extra usage bundles" with consumption-based pricing, benefiting from a discount of up to 30%, or opt for an Anthropic API key with token-based pricing. The latter option, while potentially more economical for high volumes, requires a certain level of technical expertise.

The timing of this announcement is noteworthy. The creator of OpenClaw recently joined OpenAI, and Peter Steinberger, who attempted to negotiate a delay with Anthropic, was granted only an additional week. This decision seems to exert pressure on an open-source tool that had become very popular among Claude users.

To facilitate the transition, Anthropic is offering a one-time credit equivalent to one month of subscription, valid until April 17, as well as discounted bundles. Users can also request a full refund via a link sent by email. However, this offer has sparked mixed reactions on X, where some users expressed their dissatisfaction by canceling their subscriptions or turning to the direct API.

This decision by Anthropic fits into a strategy of a closed platform, aiming to control the user experience and steer usage towards its own products. While understandable from an economic standpoint, it could affect the relationship with the developer community that has contributed to Claude's popularity. The question remains whether heavy users will choose to migrate to the API, turn to OpenAI, or accept to pay more to stay within the Anthropic ecosystem.