[BUG] Research consumes 73% usage in 20 seconds after Pro renewal, web/app desynchronization with false unblock

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?

Bug Description

Today my Claude Pro subscription renewed and my weekly limit reset. Immediately after, I attempted to use Research in claude desktop chat app and hit a critical usage consumption bug followed by web/app desynchronization. Additionally, sending a message to Claude Code temporarily "unblocks" the false limit state, indicating a deeper state management issue.

Timeline

• ~1:00 PM: WEEKLY LIMIT RESETS
• ~3:52 PM: Pro is renewed
• ~5:00 PM: First Research attempt in Chat app (desktop) → Blocked with "failed to send" + "usage limit reached" (showed 30% available in 5-hour limit)
• ~6:00 PM: 5-hour limit reset to 0%
• ~6:03 PM: Second Research attempt in Chat app after reset
• System started the search
• In ~20 seconds (just gathering sources), jumped from 0% to 73%
• Stopped the research

• Today: Pro subscription renewed + weekly limit reset occurred same day

Current Behavior - The Bug Loop

When attempting Research in Chat app:

1. Blocked with "usage limit reached"
2. BUT: If I send ANY message to Claude Code app (same device)
3. The block disappears in Chat app + Code app
4. But Research still won't work (can't initiate new searches) and block usage again

Platform State:

• Web (Chat): Permanently blocked with "usage limit reached" (no Code to unblock it)

Renewal trigger: This ONLY started happening today when subscription renewed

Related Issues

Appears related to:

• #38335 (abnormal usage consumption)
• #39507 (counter-desync bug)
• Issue where usage jumps without corresponding prompts
• Team billing reset issues with false limits

Current Workaround

Sending any message to Claude Code app temporarily shows the unblock state in Chat app, but Research functionality remains unavailable. Web has no workaround.

Impact

• Cannot use Research feature on renewal day
• Web interface permanently blocked
• App interface has false state that resets temporarily but doesn't restore functionality
• Suggests deeper issue in limit state management during subscription transitions

What Should Happen?

Expected Behavior

• Research should work normally after subscription renewal
• No false "usage limit" blocks with x% available
• 20-second Research search should not consume 73%
• Blocking state should be consistent across platforms

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Have Claude Pro subscription on renewal day
2. Wait for daily reset (~6:00 PM) + weekly reset to occur same day
3. Immediately attempt Research in Chat app
4. Observe:

• Blocks with false "usage limit reached"
• Message to Code app temporarily "unblocks" it
• Web remains permanently blocked if trying to do research

1. Attempt Research again (still fails despite temporary unblock)

Status Update (Day 2)

Research no longer blocks, but exhibits consistent behavior:

• Initializes session with 50% consumption
• Does not increase beyond 50% once initialized
• Pattern repeats on every new Research session
• Occurs consistently 24+ hours post-renewal

This indicates a persistent session initialization bug where Research sessions are created with incorrect initial state values post-renewal.

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

I don't know

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.196

Platform

Other

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

_No response_