[BUG] CLI returns "API Error: Rate limit reached" on every command despite Pro subscription and available quota

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?

Claude Code CLI immediately returns "API Error: Rate limit reached" on every command, including non-usage commands like claude config list and even a simple "hi". The CLI is completely unusable. Claude.ai web chat works perfectly on the same account.

Environment:

• Claude Code version: 2.1.76 (npm install, /opt/homebrew/bin/claude)
• Plan: Claude Pro
• OS: macOS, Apple Silicon
• Shell: Zsh

Keychain credentials confirm correct state:

• subscriptionType: pro
• rateLimitTier: default_claude_ai
• expiresAt: valid, not expired

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Open terminal, run claude
2. CLI shows: Sonnet 4.6 (1M context) · Claude Pro
3. Type any message (e.g., "hi") → immediate "API Error: Rate limit reached"
4. Run claude config list → same error

What I've Tried:

1. claude logout + claude login → issue persists
2. Deleted Keychain credentials and re-authenticated → issue persists
3. Verified Claude.ai web interface works fine on same account
4. No excessive usage prior to the issue

Related Issues: #27336, #29579, #26812
Support ticket: #215473505027246

What Should Happen?

CLI requests should succeed within Pro plan limits. Basic commands like config list should not be rate-limited at all.

Error Messages/Logs

❯ hi
  ⎿  API Error: Rate limit reached

❯ config
  ⎿  API Error: Rate limit reached

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open terminal, run claude
2. CLI shows: Sonnet 4.6 (1M context) · Claude Pro
3. Type any message (e.g., "hi") → immediate "API Error: Rate limit reached"
4. Run claude config list → same error
5. Run claude logout + claude login → re-login succeeds but error persists
6. Delete Keychain credentials and re-authenticate → error persists
7. Open claude.ai web chat on same account → works fine

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.76

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_