[BUG] API Error: Rate limit reached on Opus 4.6 with Claude Max — Sonnet works fine, fresh session, 6% usage

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Every request to Opus 4.6 immediately returns "API Error: Rate limit reached" despite being on Claude Max with minimal usage. Sonnet works without issues on the same session.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Code v2.1.63 (Opus 4.6, 1M context, Claude Max)
2. Send any message → "API Error: Rate limit reached"
3. Run /clear → "(no content)"
4. Run /compact → "Error: Error during compaction: Error: API Error: Rate limit reached"
5. Run claude logout, delete credentials.json, run claude login → same error
6. Switch to Sonnet via /model claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 → works immediately

Expected Behavior

Opus 4.6 should accept requests within Max plan limits.

Actual Behavior

Immediate rate limit error on every Opus request, including fresh sessions with no prior context. Sonnet works fine.

Environment

• Claude Code version: v2.1.63
• Plan: Claude Max (Opus 4.6, 1M context)
• OS: Windows
• Session usage: 6% (per Settings → Usage)
• Weekly usage: 36% all models, 1% Sonnet
• status.claude.com shows "All Systems Operational"

Related Issues

• #29579 — same error with Max subscription and 16% usage
• #25531 — rate limit error on compaction with plenty of usage left
• #27074 — rate limit works with API key but not subscription

What Should Happen?

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Every request to Opus 4.6 immediately returns "API Error: Rate limit reached" despite being on Claude Max with minimal usage. Sonnet works without issues on the same session.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Code v2.1.63 (Opus 4.6, 1M context, Claude Max)
2. Send any message → "API Error: Rate limit reached"
3. Run /clear → "(no content)"
4. Run /compact → "Error: Error during compaction: Error: API Error: Rate limit reached"
5. Run claude logout, delete credentials.json, run claude login → same error
6. Switch to Sonnet via /model claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 → works immediately

Expected Behavior

Opus 4.6 should accept requests within Max plan limits.

Actual Behavior

Immediate rate limit error on every Opus request, including fresh sessions with no prior context. Sonnet works fine.

Environment

• Claude Code version: v2.1.63
• Plan: Claude Max (Opus 4.6, 1M context)
• OS: Windows
• Session usage: 6% (per Settings → Usage)
• Weekly usage: 36% all models, 1% Sonnet
• status.claude.com shows "All Systems Operational"

Related Issues

• #29579 — same error with Max subscription and 16% usage
• #25531 — rate limit error on compaction with plenty of usage left
• #27074 — rate limit works with API key but not subscription

Error Messages/Logs

Every request to Opus 4.6 immediately returns "API Error: Rate limit reached" despite being on Claude Max with minimal usage. Sonnet works without issues on the same session.

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open Claude Code v2.1.63 (Opus 4.6, 1M context, Claude Max)
2. Send any message → "API Error: Rate limit reached"
3. Run /clear → "(no content)"
4. Run /compact → "Error: Error during compaction: Error: API Error: Rate limit reached"
5. Run claude logout, delete credentials.json, run claude login → same error
6. Switch to Sonnet via /model claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929 → works immediately

Expected Behavior

Opus 4.6 should accept requests within Max plan limits.

Actual Behavior

Immediate rate limit error on every Opus request, including fresh sessions with no prior context. Sonnet works fine.

Environment

• Claude Code version: v2.1.63
• Plan: Claude Max (Opus 4.6, 1M context)
• OS: Windows
• Session usage: 6% (per Settings → Usage)
• Weekly usage: 36% all models, 1% Sonnet
• status.claude.com shows "All Systems Operational"

Claude Model

Opus

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude Code version: v2.1.63

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

PowerShell

Additional Information

Related Issues

• #29579 — same error with Max subscription and 16% usage
• #25531 — rate limit error on compaction with plenty of usage left
• #27074 — rate limit works with API key but not subscription