Anthropic blocks "lobster": Starting from 3:00 pm on April 4, Claude subscription account credits can no longer be used for OpenClaw.

Anthropic announced an adjustment to its subscription policy, separating the usage cost of third-party AI tools from its subscription packages. This move substantially raises the threshold for users to access Claude through tools like OpenClaw. On Friday evening Eastern Time, according to emails Anthropic sent to users, starting at 3 p.m. local time on April 4, the Claude subscription quota will no longer cover usage through third-party tools such as OpenClaw. Users who wish to continue accessing Claude via OpenClaw can still log in through Claude, but will need to use an additional usage plan (now discounted) or a Claude API key to use these tools. This policy change came suddenly. OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger revealed that he and OpenClaw board member Dave Morin had tried to communicate with Anthropic: Ultimately, all they managed was to delay the change by one week. Some netizens complained: I’m a Claude Pro member, and I previously had a $200 Pro account at OpenAI. Guess what? I just canceled my Claude subscription and plan to go back to OpenAI. Switching to Claude/Anthropic was a terrible decision. But there are also users who support the move, reasoning that the Claude membership package was never meant for running AI proxies that consume 100 times the normal amount: The word “sustainably” carries a lot of meaning here. Frankly, the $20 monthly subscription fee was never intended to let you run those “multi-agents” that consume 100 times the normal level. That loophole definitely existed. Demand Management and Sustainable Growth Anthropic Claude Code executive Boris Cherny explained the rationale behind the adjustment: We have been working hard to handle the growing demand for Claude, but our subscription plan was not designed for these third-party tool usage patterns. Capacity is a resource we need to carefully manage, and we are prioritizing customers who use our own products and API. Cherny stated on social media: Affected users will receive a one-time compensation credit equal to their monthly subscription fee. If you need more usage, you can purchase a discounted package; if you want a full refund, users can submit an application via the link in the email sent the following day. Third-party tool users can still access related functions with the Claude API key, but will need to pay separately. “Lobster” OpenClaw rose to prominence rapidly earlier this year. This AI agent can efficiently handle inbox management, calendar scheduling, and even flight check-ins, gaining a large base of active users. However, this high-intensity usage pattern clearly placed significant pressure on Anthropic’s infrastructure, ultimately triggering this policy tightening. It’s also worth noting that OpenClaw founder Peter Steinberger has now joined OpenAI. Against this backdrop, analysts believe that this adjustment by Anthropic may also have another purpose: to guide subscription users toward their own collaboration tool, Claude Cowork, and reduce dependence on third-party ecosystems that present competitive overlap. Business Model Shift: Monetization Beyond Subscriptions This policy change marks a clear shift in Anthropic’s business model on the consumer side. By separating high-frequency, non-standard usage scenarios from flat-rate subscriptions and moving them to pay-as-you-go, Anthropic is able to match revenues from high-consumption user groups to their resource usage, while ensuring the core user experience. The introduction of discounted usage bundles shows that Anthropic does not intend to drive away all third-party tool users, but instead seeks a balance between capacity management and retaining paying users. However, for OpenClaw users accustomed to unified subscription billing, increased usage costs remain an unavoidable reality. Risk Warning and Disclaimer The market involves risks; investments should be made cautiously. This article does not constitute individual investment advice and does not consider specific investment objectives, financial situations, or needs of any particular user. Users should assess whether any opinions, views, or conclusions in this article are appropriate to their specific circumstances. Investment decisions based on this are at your own risk.