# Claude Code: Usage, Rate Limits & Extra Usage Understanding how usage limits work in Claude Code and how to keep working when you hit them.
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--- ## Overview Claude Code on subscription plans (Pro, Max 5x, Max 20x) has usage limits that reset on a rolling window. Three built-in slash commands help you monitor and manage usage: | Command | Description | Available To | |---------|-------------|--------------| | `/usage` | Check plan limits and rate limit status | Pro, Max 5x, Max 20x | | `/extra-usage` | Configure pay-as-you-go overflow when limits are hit | Pro, Max 5x, Max 20x | | `/cost` | Show token usage and spending for the current session | API key users | --- ## `/usage` — Check Your Limits Shows your current plan's usage limits and rate limit status. Useful for checking how much capacity you have left before hitting a limit. --- ## `/extra-usage` — Keep Working Past Limits The `/extra-usage` command configures **pay-as-you-go overflow billing** so Claude Code continues working seamlessly when you hit your plan's rate limits, instead of blocking you. ### How It Works 1. You hit your plan's rate limit (limits reset every 5 hours) 2. If extra usage is enabled with available funds, Claude Code continues without interruption 3. Overflow tokens are billed at **standard API rates**, separate from your subscription fee ### Setting It Up The `/extra-usage` command in the CLI will guide you through configuration. You can also configure it on the web at **Settings > Usage** on claude.ai: 1. Enable extra usage 2. Add a payment method 3. Set a **monthly spending cap** (or choose unlimited) 4. Optionally add **prepaid funds** with auto-reload when balance drops below a threshold ### Key Details | Detail | Value | |--------|-------| | Daily redemption limit | $2,000/day | | Billing | Separate from subscription, at standard API rates | | Limit reset window | Every 5 hours | ### Known Issue As of February 2026, the `/extra-usage` CLI command is [undocumented](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/12396) and may open a sign-in window without clear configuration options. Configuring through the **claude.ai web interface** is the more reliable path for now. --- ## `/cost` — Session Spending (API Users) For users authenticating with an API key (not a subscription plan), `/cost` shows: - Total cost for the current session - API duration and wall time - Token usage breakdown - Code changes made This command is not relevant for Pro/Max subscription users. --- ## Fast Mode and Extra Usage Fast mode (`/fast`) uses Claude Opus 4.6 with faster output. It has a special billing relationship with extra usage: - Fast mode usage is **always billed to extra usage** from the first token - This applies even if you have remaining usage on your subscription plan - Fast mode does not consume your plan's included rate limits This means you need extra usage enabled and funded to use `/fast`. --- ## CLI Startup Flags Two startup flags relate to usage budgets (API key users only, print mode): | Flag | Description | |------|-------------| | `--max-budget-usd ` | Maximum dollar amount for API calls before stopping | | `--max-turns ` | Limit number of agentic turns | See [CLI Startup Flags Reference](claude-cli-startup-flags.md) for the full list. --- ## Sources - [Extra usage for paid Claude plans — Claude Help Center](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12429409-extra-usage-for-paid-claude-plans) - [Using Claude Code with your Pro or Max plan — Claude Help Center](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11145838-using-claude-code-with-your-pro-or-max-plan) - [/extra-usage slash command is undocumented — GitHub Issue #12396](https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/12396) - [Claude Code CLI Reference](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/cli-reference)