The restrictions apply to all third-party interfaces, including OpenClaw.
Anthropic has introduced restrictions on using Claude subscriptions through third-party interfaces. Users will now need additional API-based payment to work with such tools.
Claude Code lead Boris Cherny explained the decision by noting that subscriptions were not designed for intensive use through third-party tools. According to him, the company prioritizes customers who use Anthropic’s own products and API.
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Reasons and Developer Reaction
The restrictions took effect on April 5, 2026. OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger reported that he and a project board member tried to persuade Anthropic’s leadership to reverse the decision. They only managed to secure a one-week delay.
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Developers expressed frustration that Anthropic first implemented similar features in its own closed platform and then restricted access to the open tool. In response, Cherny stated that the decision relates to technical load constraints and capacity optimization.
The company offered dissatisfied users full refunds upon subscription cancellation, along with one-time credits and special rate packages.
Context of the Changes
The OpenClaw usage restriction comes amid active development of Anthropic’s own agentic tools. At the same time, the company is expanding Claude’s integration with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, including Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams.
Anthropic’s decision has intensified the debate over how much open tools can compete with the closed ecosystems of major AI market players.
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