Use the Claude Agent SDK with your Claude plan (original) (raw)

Claude subscription plans are now eligible to receive a monthly Agent SDK credit. This credit covers Claude Agent SDK usage, the claude -p command, and third-party apps built on the Agent SDK. This article explains what the credit covers, how it works, and how to claim it.

What’s changing

Starting June 15, 2026, Claude Agent SDK and claude -p usage no longer counts toward your Claude plan’s usage limits. Your subscription usage limits stay the same and stay reserved for interactive use of Claude Code, Claude Cowork, and Claude.

To support Agent SDK use, eligible Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plan users can claim a separate monthly credit. The credit applies only to Agent SDK usage and refreshes with your billing cycle.

Monthly credit by plan

*Members of seat-based Enterprise plans on Standard seats aren’t eligible to claim the Agent SDK monthly credit.

What the credit covers

The Agent SDK monthly credit applies to:

The credit doesn’t apply to:

How the credit works

Per-user, not pooled. Credits belong to individual accounts. They can’t be shared or pooled across teammates.

Refreshes monthly. Your credit resets at the start of each billing cycle. Unused credits don't roll over to the next billing cycle.

One-time opt-in. You claim your credit through your Claude account once. After that, it refreshes automatically each cycle.

Drains first. Agent SDK usage draws from your monthly credit before any other source.

Past the credit, usage moves to usage credits. When your monthly credit runs out, additional Agent SDK usage flows to usage credits at standard API rates—but only if you've enabled usage credits. If usage credits aren't enabled, Agent SDK requests stop until your credit refreshes.

What stays the same

This change doesn’t affect:

For Team and Enterprise admins

If you administer a Team or Enterprise account, here’s what to know:

Credits are per-user. Each eligible user on your team claims their own credit. Credits can’t be pooled, transferred, or shared across the organization.

Production automation at scale. The Agent SDK monthly credit is sized for individual experimentation and automation. Teams running shared production automation should use Claude Platform with an API key for predictable pay-as-you-go billing.

What you need to do. Nothing right now. Eligible users on your team will receive an email with details and instructions to claim their credit before June 15, 2026.

What is the Team plan?What is the Enterprise plan?How am I billed for my Enterprise plan?Use Claude Code with your Team or Enterprise plan Claude Enterprise activation promo for Claude Code and Cowork