Anthropic has changed how its Claude AI works with third-party tools, and users can no longer rely on their subscription for free access through apps like OpenClaw. Starting April 4, users who run Claude inside external tools must now either buy extra usage bundles or connect through a paid API key, which marks a clear shift in how the company manages rising demand.
This update mainly affects users who depend on tools like OpenClaw, which automate tasks such as managing emails, organizing calendars, or handling workflows using large language models. These tools rely on models like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, but they run outside Anthropic’s own platform, which increases load in a different way than standard usage.
Boris Cherny, creator of Claude Code, explained that the company made this decision to handle engineering limits and keep the service stable for core users.
He said the current subscription model was not built for how third-party tools use Claude, and the company now wants to prioritize users who access Claude directly or through its official API.
Changes for users
Users can still use Claude with third-party apps, but they must now pay for usage through bundles or API access. Anthropic is offering discounted bundles and a one-time credit equal to the user’s monthly plan, while also giving an option to request a refund.
This move also pushes users toward alternatives like xAI, Perplexity, or DeepSeek, while Anthropic continues to promote its own tool, Claude Cowork, for similar workflow automation tasks.
