[BUG] Severe Performance Degradation in Claude Code

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?

The Problem

Claude Code's performance has severely degraded over time. Tasks that
should take 2 minutes now take hours with worse outcomes. This happens
despite having a Claude Pro Max subscription ($199/month).

Concrete Example from Today

Task: Fix "undefined" showing in frontend instead of children names

Expected Solution: Change one line: ${childData.name} → ${name}

What Actually Happened:

• 100+ commands executed
• Docker container rebuilt multiple times
• Multiple files unnecessarily modified
• System restarted repeatedly
• Hours wasted on a 1-line fix
• Working features broken in the process

Observed Issues

1. Constant Interruptions:

• TodoWrite reminders every few responses
• Forced to maintain todo lists for simple tasks
• Attention fragmented by system reminders

1. Overcomplicated Approaches:

• Simple debugging becomes multi-hour investigations
• Creates problems while trying to fix others
• Loses track of original issue

1. Performance Comparison:

• ChatGPT (free): Completed similar task in 30 minutes
• Claude Code: Still debugging after 2+ hours
• User quote: "You're getting worse daily"

Evidence of Degradation

• Earlier sessions: Direct, efficient solutions
• Current sessions: Endless loops, broken fixes, unnecessary complexity
• Pro Max subscription provides no performance benefit

Suspected Cause

Too many safety/oversight layers causing:

• Fragmented attention
• Inability to focus on actual problem
• Forced workflows that interrupt natural debugging

Impact

Users paying premium prices ($199/month) receive worse performance than
free alternatives. This makes Claude Code unusable for serious
development work.

Environment

• Claude Code (CLI)
• macOS Darwin 24.6.0
• Pro Max subscription
• Project: Node.js/Express application

Request

Please investigate removal of performance-limiting restrictions for
Pro/Pro Max subscribers. The current state makes the tool
counterproductive.

What Should Happen?

Please investigate removal of performance-limiting restrictions for
Pro/Pro Max subscribers. The current state makes the tool
counterproductive.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

doesn't need any step

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

1.0.117

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

_No response_