429 rate limit error should suggest starting a new conversation

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?

Problem

When hitting the 30,000 input tokens/minute rate limit (429), the error message only explains the technical cause but gives no actionable fix for the average user:

This request would exceed your organization's rate limit of 30,000 input tokens per minute. Please reduce the prompt length or the maximum tokens requested, or try again later.

Users interpret this as "my current message is too long" — which is misleading. The real cause is often accumulated conversation history being re-sent with every API request. Even a short user message can trigger this if the conversation has grown large.

What Should Happen?

Suggested Fix

Add a plain-language hint directly in the error message:

Tip: Long conversations accumulate token history with every request. Starting a new conversation is often the fastest fix.

Why This Matters

This is a common point of confusion. Users spend time debugging their prompts, retrying, or assuming a billing issue — when the simple solution is to start a fresh conversation. A one-line hint in the error output would save significant frustration.

Error Messages/Logs

❌ Error: rate_limitAPI Error: Request rejected (429) · This request would exceed your organization's rate limit of 30,000 input tokens per minute (org: 492579c1-f35c-4141-a8ba-a7f4ef89d491, model: claude-sonnet-4-6). For details, refer to: https://docs.claude.com/en/api/rate-limits. You can see the response headers for current usage. Please reduce the prompt length or the maximum tokens requested, or try again later. You may also contact sales at https://claude.com/contact-sales to discuss your options for a rate limit increase.

Steps to Reproduce

Never close a convo and work multiple tasks in it for 3 days.

Claude Model

Not sure / Multiple models

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

newest

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Windows Terminal

Additional Information

_No response_