unknown error when running slash command

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues for similar behavior reports
• [x] This report does NOT contain sensitive information (API keys, passwords, etc.)

Type of Behavior Issue

Claude ignored my instructions or configuration

What You Asked Claude to Do

I asked claude to do run a slash command that checks my system health. while it was processing it put up this error:
⎿ 529 {"type":"error","error":{"type":"overloaded_error","message":"Overloaded"},"request_id":null}
Retrying in 23 seconds… (attempt 7/10)
i have no idea that this is not related to my system. it is on your end because your api server is overloaded. meanwhile i think my server is exploding. you have to fix this. wow

What Claude Actually Did

it didn't do anything - i asked it what was going on and it was non responsive

Expected Behavior

The problem isn't the overload - that happens. The problem is:

529 {"type":"error","error":{"type":"overloaded_error","message":"Overloaded"},"request_id":null}

That means nothing to a normal user. It looks like a crash, a bug, a system failure - anything except "please wait 30 seconds."

It should say:

Claude is busy right now. Retrying automatically...

That's it. One line. No JSON. No scary numbers. No making users think their machine is broken.

---
Here's a draft issue if you want to post it:

Title: Overload errors display raw JSON instead of user-friendly message

Body:
When Anthropic's API is overloaded, Claude Code displays raw JSON errors:

529 {"type":"error","error":{"type":"overloaded_error","message":"Overloaded"},"request_id":null}
Retrying in 23 seconds… (attempt 7/10)

This is confusing and alarming. I spent significant time trying to diagnose
what I thought was a local system problem before realizing it was just
temporary API congestion.

Expected behavior: A clear message like "Claude is temporarily busy.
Retrying automatically..." - no raw JSON, no cryptic status codes.

Impact: Wasted user time, unnecessary stress, eroded trust.

Files Affected

Permission Mode

Accept Edits was ON (auto-accepting changes)

Can You Reproduce This?

Sometimes (intermittent)

Steps to Reproduce

run the command again

Claude Model

Opus

Relevant Conversation

Impact

Critical - Data loss or corrupted project

Claude Code Version

The problem isn't the overload - that happens. The problem is: 529 {"type":"error","error":{"type":"overloaded_error","message":"Overloaded"},"request_id":null} That means nothing to a normal user. It looks like a crash, a bug, a system failure - anything except "please wait 30 seconds." It should say: Claude is busy right now. Retrying automatically... That's it. One line. No JSON. No scary numbers. No making users think their machine is broken. --- Here's a draft issue if you want to post it: Title: Overload errors display raw JSON instead of user-friendly message Body: When Anthropic's API is overloaded, Claude Code displays raw JSON errors: 529 {"type":"error","error":{"type":"overloaded_error","message":"Overloaded"},"request_id":null} Retrying in 23 seconds… (attempt 7/10) This is confusing and alarming. I spent significant time trying to diagnose what I thought was a local system problem before realizing it was just temporary API congestion. Expected behavior: A clear message like "Claude is temporarily busy. Retrying automatically..." - no raw JSON, no cryptic status codes. Impact: Wasted user time, unnecessary stress, eroded trust.

Platform

Anthropic API

Additional Context

_No response_