Claude just slammed the door on OpenClaw
04 Apr 2026

Anthropic has announced a change in its policy that will make using OpenClaw with Claude AI more expensive.

The change comes into effect from April 4, at 3pm ET (12:30am IST, next day), and means users can no longer use their Claude subscription limits for third-party harnesses like OpenClaw.

Instead, they will have to opt for a separate pay-as-you-go option billed separately from their Claude subscription.

Anthropic trying to push users toward its own tools
Fact

This could be Anthropic's way of pushing subscribers toward its own tools, such as Claude Cowork. Despite the changes, users can still access these tools with their Claude login through additional usage bundles (now at a discount) or via a Claude API key.

Here's why the company made this change
Capacity management

Boris Cherny, an executive at Anthropic Claude Code, explained the reason behind the policy change.

He said that their subscriptions weren't designed for the usage patterns of third-party tools like OpenClaw.

Capacity is a resource we manage thoughtfully and we are prioritizing our customers using our products and API, he added.

One-time credit and full refund available for users
Subscriber compensation

In light of these changes, Anthropic is offering subscribers "a one-time credit equal to your monthly plan cost." If users require more, they can purchase discounted usage bundles.

For those looking for a full refund, a link will be provided in their email tomorrow. The company hopes this change will help them manage growth sustainably and continue serving customers in the long run.