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Claude Code charging your API instead of your Pro plan? Check this

Ship ItChecked against the official source

Source checked 4 Oct 2026 · Published 21 Oct 2026 · Last reviewed 21 Oct 2026 · By Ctrl+Z Therapy (how we test)

The short answer

Check for an ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable. Anthropic's help center says that if it's set, "Claude Code will use this API key for authentication instead of your Claude subscription", resulting in API usage charges rather than your subscription's included usage. Run /login inside Claude Code to switch to your Pro or Max plan, and remove the variable.

What to do

  1. Inside Claude Code, run /login and pick your Pro or Max account.
  2. Remove the ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable from your system.
  3. Check your usage with /status in Claude Code, or under Settings, Usage on claude.ai.

Good to know

  • Hit your usage limit? Claude Code can offer API credits: "Usage will be billed at standard API rates (distinct from Pro/Max Plan pricing)." You can decline and wait.
  • The Pro session limit resets every five hours, and there is also a weekly limit.

Source

Checked on 4 Oct 2026. Prices, limits and settings change, so check the source before you rely on them.

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