[BUG] Desktop app blocks usage at 91% while web continues to work — same account, same plan (Max 5x)

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?

Summary

On the Claude desktop app (Windows), I get a "Usage limit exceeded" banner and cannot
send messages when the usage meter shows only 91%. At the same time, the web version
(claude.ai) on the same account continues to work normally.

Switching to a different model (e.g., Sonnet 4.6) in the desktop app does not resolve
the issue — the block persists regardless of model selection.

Environment

• Plan: Max (5x)
• OS: Windows 11 Home
• App: Claude Desktop (latest)
• Account: same account used on both desktop and web

Usage at time of issue (see attached screenshots)

• Current session (5h window): 91% used, resets in ~1h 7m
• Weekly (all models): 63%
• Weekly (Sonnet only): 23%
• Claude Design: 85%

Steps to reproduce

1. Use Claude desktop app heavily until the current session approaches ~90%
2. Observe "Usage limit exceeded" banner — no new messages possible
3. Open claude.ai in a browser (same account) — messages send normally
4. Switch model in desktop from Opus 4.7 → Sonnet 4.6 — still blocked

Expected behavior

• Either both desktop and web are blocked at the same threshold, OR
• Desktop should allow continued use at 91% the same way web does, OR
• The block threshold should be clearly documented (e.g., "blocked at 90% to prevent overage")

Actual behavior

Desktop is blocked at 91% while web works fine. Switching models does not unblock desktop.

Additional notes

The 5-hour session bucket appears to be enforced more aggressively on desktop than on web.
It is unclear whether this is intentional behavior or a bug in quota enforcement/display sync.
Screenshots attached.

<img width="1821" height="1179" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/f09809a8-9b94-4ae9-9f80-ef62d3885209" />

<img width="1457" height="1025" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a0336e5e-dd20-487c-ae9f-e290b9f0bd54" />

What Should Happen?

The desktop app should either allow continued usage at 91% the same way the web version does,
or enforce the same threshold on both platforms consistently.
If blocking before 100% is intentional (to prevent overage),
the exact threshold should be documented and the error message should explain
how much usage is left and when it resets — not just show a generic "limit exceeded" banner.

Error Messages/Logs

Usage limit exceeded (banner displayed in desktop app)

No additional error details or logs provided by the app.
Exact usage at time of block:
- Current session (5h window): 91% — resets in ~1h 7m
- Weekly all models: 63%
- Weekly Sonnet only: 23%
- Claude Design: 85%

Model: Opus 4.7 (switching to Sonnet 4.6 did not resolve the issue)
Claude Code version: 2.1.123

Steps to Reproduce

1. Use Claude desktop app (Max 5x plan) with Opus 4.7 until current session usage reaches ~91%
2. Attempt to send a new message — "Usage limit exceeded" banner appears, input is blocked
3. Switch model to Sonnet 4.6 in the same desktop session — still blocked
4. Open claude.ai in a browser using the same account — messages send normally
5. Check Settings → Usage in desktop app — session shows 91%, not 100%

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

20260430

Claude Code Version

• Claude Code version: 2.1.123

Platform

Other

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

_No response_