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Using Claude Code with your Pro or Max Plan

Updated today

Pro and Max plan subscribers have access to use Claude Code directly in the terminal.

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is a command line tool that gives you access to Claude models directly in your terminal, allowing you to delegate complex coding tasks while maintaining transparency and control. With Pro and Max plans, you now have access to both Claude in the web, desktop, and mobile apps and Claude Code in your terminal with one unified subscription.

Why use Claude and Claude Code?

Use two powerful AI products in one simple subscription.

  • Use Claude for writing, research, analysis, and more — at work and at home

  • Use Claude Code for your terminal-based coding workflows

How to connect Claude Code with your plan

To start using Claude Code with your Pro or Max plan:

  1. Ensure you have an active Pro or Max plan subscription

    • If you're not already subscribed, upgrade at claude.ai/upgrade

    • Pro plan: $20/month for light coding work on small repositories

    • Max plan offers two usage tiers:

      • 5x Pro usage ($100/month)

      • 20x Pro usage ($200/month)

  2. Install Claude Code

  3. Authenticate with your Claude credentials

    • When prompted during setup or first use, log in with the same credentials you use for Claude

    • This will connect your Pro or Max plan subscription to Claude Code

    • If you're already logged in to Claude Code via Anthropic Console PAYG, run /login from within Claude Code to switch to your subscription plan

Having trouble using your Pro or Max plan to access Claude Code?

If you're not seeing the option to authenticate with your preferred account, follow these steps to update Claude Code:

  1. Log out of your active session completely using the /logout command.

  2. Run claude update.

  3. Restart your terminal completely for the change to take effect.

  4. Run claude and select the correct account to use Claude Code (Pro, Max, or Console).

How Rate Limits Work

Both Pro and Max plans offer rate limits that are shared across Claude and Claude Code, meaning all activity in both tools counts against the same usage limits. The number of messages you can send varies based on message length, conversation length, and file attachments, while Claude Code usage varies based on project complexity, codebase size, and auto-accept settings.

Pro Plan

To read more about Pro plan usage limits, see About Claude Pro usage.

  • Pro ($20/month): Average users can send approximately 45 messages with Claude every 5 hours, OR send approximately 10-40 prompts with Claude Code every 5 hours.

  • Model access: Pro plan subscribers can access Sonnet 4, but won’t be able to use Opus 4 with Claude Code.

  • Best for: Light work on small repositories (typically under 1,000 lines of code)

Max Plan

For detailed information about Max plan usage limits, see About Claude's Max Plan Usage.

  • Max 5x Pro ($100/month): Average users can send approximately 225 messages with Claude every 5 hours, OR send approximately 50-200 prompts with Claude Code every 5 hours.

  • Max 20x Pro ($200/month): Average users can send approximately 900 messages with Claude every 5 hours, OR send approximately 200-800 prompts with Claude Code every 5 hours.

  • Model access: Max plan subscribers can use Sonnet or Opus 4 on Claude Code (switch between them using the /model command).

  • Best for: Everyday use with larger codebases, or power users

These estimates are based on how Claude works today. In the future, we'll add new capabilities (some might use more of your usage, others less) but we're always working to give you the best value on your current plan.

What Happens When You Hit Rate Limits

To help you monitor your usage, you will see warning messages about remaining capacity. When you reach your rate limits, you can select from a few options based on your needs:

Pro Plan Users

  • Consider upgrading to the Max plan (5x Pro/$100) if you consistently hit limits and need more capacity for larger repositories.

  • You will have the flexibility to switch to pay-as-you-go usage with an Anthropic Console account for intensive coding sprints.

  • Wait until your rate limits reset

Max Plan Users

  • If you're on the $100 Max plan (5x Pro usage), consider upgrading to the $200 Max plan (20x Pro usage) if you consistently hit limits.

  • You will have the flexibility to switch to pay-as-you-go usage with an Anthropic Console account for intensive coding sprints.

  • Wait until your rate limits reset

For more details on efficient usage, refer to our Usage Limit Best Practices.

Claude Code Usage Limits and Billing

Understanding Two Distinct Systems

It's important to recognize these are separate systems:

  • Claude Code: Presents options for continuing usage through API credits

  • API Console: Contains optional auto-reload settings for API credit management where your terminal is located

Choosing to Use API Credits

If you want to use API credits through Claude Code:

  • Usage will be billed at standard API rates (distinct from Pro/Max Plan pricing)

  • If auto-reload is enabled in your Console account, additional credits will be automatically added when your balance runs low

Staying Within Your Plan

To maintain usage strictly within your Pro or Max Plan allocation:

  • Decline the API credit option when presented

  • Allow your usage period to reset naturally

  • Monitor your remaining allocation using the /status command

Opting Out of API Credits for Claude Code

If you prefer to prevent the API credit option from appearing entirely:

  • Run claude logout in your terminal

  • Run claude login and authenticate using only your Pro or Max plan credentials

  • Avoid adding any API/Console credentials during the login process

This ensures Claude Code will only use your plan allocation and you won't be prompted to use API credits when you reach your limits.

Managing Auto-Reload Settings

Auto-reload functionality is managed within your Console/API account, not through Claude Code:

  • Review your Console account settings to check auto-reload status

  • Adjust these settings in the Console if you prefer to avoid automatic credit purchases

  • Remember, auto-reload only applies when you've chosen to use API credits

Summary

  • Claude Code maintains strict user control over billing decisions

  • All transitions to API credit usage require explicit user consent

  • Auto-reload is an independent Console feature

  • To maintain your plan budget, simply decline API credit options when offered

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