# Use Claude Code with your Pro or Max plan This article applies to individual consumers using Pro or Max plan subscriptions to access Claude Code. If you’re a member of a Team or Enterprise plan organization, see **[Use Claude Code with your Team or Enterprise plan](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11845131)**. ## What is Claude Code? Claude Code is a coding tool that lets you delegate complex coding tasks to Claude while keeping transparency and control. It’s included in Claude Desktop, and you can also run it in your terminal or a supported IDE. With a Pro or Max plan, you have access to Claude on the web, desktop, and mobile apps and to Claude Code with one subscription. ### Why use Claude and Claude Code? Use two powerful AI products in one simple subscription. - Use Claude for writing, research, analysis, and more—at work and at home. - Use Claude Code for coding work in Claude Desktop, your terminal, or your IDE. --- ## How to connect Claude Code to your Pro or Max plan 1. **Ensure you have an active Pro or Max plan subscription** - If you're not already subscribed, upgrade at **[claude.ai/upgrade](https://claude.ai/upgrade)** 2. **Open Claude Code** - **Recommended:** Download **Claude Desktop**, sign in with your Pro or Max plan, and open the “Code” tab. Claude Desktop includes Claude Code, so there’s nothing else to install, and it uses the account you signed in with. Follow the **desktop quickstart** in the Claude Code docs for your first session. - To use the terminal instead, visit the **[Claude Code quickstart](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/quickstart#step-1-install-claude-code)** in the Claude Code docs and follow the installation instructions for your operating system. 3. **Authenticate (terminal and IDE only)** - When prompted during setup or first use, log in with the same credentials you use for Claude. - This connects your Pro or Max plan subscription to Claude Code. - If you’re already logged in to Claude Code via Claude Console pay-as-you-go, run `/login` from within Claude Code to switch to your subscription plan. ### Having trouble using your Pro or Max plan to access Claude Code? If you’re not seeing the option to authenticate with your preferred account in the terminal, follow these steps to update Claude Code: 1. Log out of your active session completely using the `/logout` command. 2. Run `claude update`. 3. Restart your terminal completely for the change to take effect. 4. Run `claude` and select the correct account to use Claude Code. **Important:** If you have an ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable set on your system, Claude Code will use this API key for authentication instead of your Claude subscription (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise plans), resulting in API usage charges rather than using your subscription's included usage. See this article for more information: **[Managing API key environment variables in Claude Code](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12304248-managing-api-key-environment-variables-in-claude-code).** ## Use Claude Code in your IDE Your Pro or Max plan also covers Claude Code in supported IDEs, including VS Code, Cursor and other VS Code forks, and JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ and PyCharm. Log in with the same Claude credentials you use in Claude Desktop or the terminal. IDE usage counts toward the same usage limits shared across Claude and Claude Code. To install and set up the extension for your IDE, see **[Platforms and integrations](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/platforms)** in our Claude Code Docs. --- ## What happens when you hit usage limits Both Pro and Max plans have a five-hour session limit and a weekly limit. Max plans also have a separate weekly limit for Fable. These limits are shared across Claude and Claude Code, meaning all activity in both tools counts against the same limits. To help you monitor your usage, you’ll see warning messages as you approach any limit. If you reach your five-hour session limit while Claude Code is partway through a response, Claude Code may keep working briefly so it can finish the step in progress instead of stopping mid-step. While this happens, you’ll see “Usage limit reached · wrapping up” in Claude Code. This wrap-up allowance is small and capped, and the usage counts toward your weekly limit. It applies only to a response that’s already in progress, not to a new message you send after reaching your limit. On the Pro plan, it applies up to once per weekly usage period. On the Max plan, it can apply each time you reach a five-hour session limit, within your weekly limit. It’s rolling out gradually, so it may not be available on your account yet. Learn more about the **[Claude Code wrap-up allowance](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/17040437)**. When you reach your usage limits, you can select from a few options based on your needs: ### Pro plan users - Consider upgrading to the Max 5x plan if you consistently hit limits and need more capacity for larger repositories. - **[Enable usage credits](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12429409-)** to keep using Claude with your Pro plan after you reach your five-hour session limit or your weekly limit. - Switch to a Claude Console account and **[purchase API usage credits](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/8977456-how-do-i-pay-for-my-claude-api-usage)** for intensive coding sprints. - Wait until your usage limits reset. ### Max plan users - If you're on the Max 5x plan, consider upgrading to the Max 20x plan if you consistently hit limits. - **[Enable usage credits](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12429409-)** to keep using Claude with your Max plan after you reach your five-hour session limit, your general weekly limit, or your separate weekly limit for Fable. - Switch to a Claude Console account and **[purchase API usage credits](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/8977456-how-do-i-pay-for-my-claude-api-usage)** for intensive coding sprints. - Monthly API credits included with Max plans can’t be used in Claude Code or the Claude apps, including for usage credits. Learn more about **[monthly API credits for Max and Team plans](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/17154008)**. - Wait until your usage limits reset. For more details on efficient usage, refer to our **[Usage limit best practices](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/9797557-usage-limit-best-practices)**. --- ## Claude Code billing ### Understanding two distinct systems It's important to recognize these are separate systems: - **Claude Code:** Presents options for continuing usage through API credits. - **Claude Console / Claude API:** Contains optional auto-reload settings for API credit management where your terminal is located. ### Choosing to use API credits If you want to use API credits through Claude Code: - Usage will be billed at **[standard API rates](https://claude.com/pricing#api)** (distinct from Pro/Max Plan pricing). - If auto-reload is enabled in your Console account, additional credits will be automatically added when your balance runs low. ### Staying within your plan To maintain usage strictly within your Pro or Max Plan allocation: - Decline the API credit option when presented. - Allow your usage period to reset before continuing to use Claude Code. - Monitor your remaining allocation using the /status command. ### Opting out of API credits for Claude Code If you prefer to prevent the API credit option from appearing entirely: - Run `claude logout` in your terminal. - Run `claude login` and authenticate using only your Pro or Max plan credentials. - Avoid adding any Claude Console credentials during the login process. This ensures Claude Code will only use your plan allocation and you won't be prompted to use API credits when you reach your limits. ### Managing auto-reload settings Auto-reload functionality is managed within your Claude Console account, not through Claude Code: - Review your **[Console Billing settings](https://platform.claude.com/settings/billing)** to check auto-reload status. - Adjust these settings in the Console if you prefer to avoid automatic credit purchases. - Remember, auto-reload only applies when you've chosen to use API credits. ### Summary - Claude Code maintains strict user control over billing decisions. - Auto-reload is an independent Claude Console feature. - To maintain your Pro or Max plan budget, simply decline API credit options when offered.