Extension field notesUnofficial help

Last updated: · Applies to: Claude Code CLI and IDE usage on Pro and Max

Claude Code usage limit errors: messages and fixes

For Claude Code usage limit errors, identify whether the message names a session, weekly or model limit, then follow its displayed reset time. IDE and CLI share usage. For the context-credit error, use /model to switch to standard context. Treat 529 overload errors separately; logout/login is only a user-reported workaround.

Pro and Max have a 5-hour session limit and a weekly limit. IDE and CLI share usage, and Claude Code may finish the current reply at the limit. See the plan documentation.

Exact usage limit messages

5-hour limit reached ∙ resets 12pm

Source: User report.

You've hit your limit · resets 12am (America/Denver)

Source: User report.

You've hit your session limit · resets 3:45pm

Source: Official error reference.

You've hit your weekly limit

Source: Official error reference.

You've hit your Opus limit

Source: Official error reference.

You've hit your Sonnet limit

Source: Official error reference.

Usage limit reached

Source: User report.

Usage credits required for context

API Error: Usage credits required for 1M context · turn on usage credits at claude.ai/settings/usage, or use --model to switch to standard context

Source: User report.

Use /model to switch to standard context. The costs documentation says /usage-credits opens Settings > Usage.

529 overload errors

API Error: 529 {"type":"error","error":{"type":"overloaded_error","message":"Overloaded"}}

Source: User report.

Also reported in issue #3503.

API Error: Repeated 529 Overloaded errors

Source: Official error reference.

The error reference identifies this as overload. Do not use a 529 message alone as evidence that your plan allowance is exhausted.

Numbered fixes: CLI

  1. Read the limit and reset message

    Match the message above to the session, weekly or model limit. Use the displayed reset time for messages that provide one.

  2. Handle the context-credit message

    Use /model to switch to standard context. Use /usage-credits to open Settings > Usage.

  3. Treat login as a reported workaround

    For the generic usage message, issue #54620 reports claude logout followed by claude login as a fix. This is user-reported, not an official fix or a way to increase plan limits.

Numbered fixes: VS Code / IDE

  1. Check the same limit message

    IDE and CLI share usage, so switching between them does not provide a separate allowance. See the plan documentation.

  2. Follow the applicable CLI steps

    For the context-credit error in a CLI session, use /model to switch to standard context. Keep generic usage errors separate from 529 overload errors.

FAQ

Do Pro and Max have Claude Code usage limits?

Yes. Pro and Max have a 5-hour session limit and a weekly limit.

Do the IDE and CLI share usage?

Yes. IDE and CLI share usage; switching between them does not provide a separate allowance.

How do I handle the context-credit error?

Use /model to switch to standard context. /usage-credits opens Settings > Usage.

Is logout/login an official usage-limit fix?

No. claude logout followed by claude login is a user-reported fix in issue #54620, not an official fix.

Can Claude Code finish a reply after reaching the limit?

Claude Code may finish the current reply at the limit.

Sources

This is an independent, unofficial help site. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by Anthropic or OpenAI. Check the linked documentation and reports for your environment.