[BUG] Since mid-November, claude code is consuming ~5x tokens

[kglowacki]

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?

I use Claude Code PRO across various projects and noticed very high usage comparing to previous months. Either it is using way more tokens, or Anthropic has changed token counting rules w/o telling anyone. In both cases users are paying the price.

What Should Happen?

Token usage and work time should stay relatively the same under similar circumstances.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Start working with Claude Code on any task
2. You'll hit usage limit 5x faster than in October.

Claude Model

Sonnet (default)

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

No response

Claude Code Version

2.0.64

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

macOS

Terminal/Shell

Terminal.app (macOS)

Additional Information

No response

[github-actions[bot]]

Found 3 possible duplicate issues:

1. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/13466
2. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/13536
3. https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code/issues/13551

This issue will be automatically closed as a duplicate in 3 days.

• If your issue is a duplicate, please close it and 👍 the existing issue instead
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🤖 Generated with Claude Code

[yambu]

Same here

[kglowacki]

btw, just starting Claude, w/o giving it any commands, can consume up to 4% of allowed session limit xD... sorry boys, this is simply against terms of service. Starting a tool is not counted as 'usage'.

[rbarcante]

Same thing here @kglowacki

[MacieGx]

Same here, I've been seeing the same spike in token usage since mid-November. I'm on Claude Code 2.0.55, so it doesn't seem limited to the newest versions.

[grandtheftdisco]

Same here. Hitting a 5 hour limit within 30 minutes without any change in my workflow.

[grandtheftdisco]

⭐ TIPS: I've been browsing similar area:cost issues re: Claude this morning and have gathered a few tips in one place. These don't fix the issue entirely but they've helped cut down my usage in the interim: hope these help someone!

1. direct Claude to not use Task feature, and to use utility tools for common tasks. Add –no-agent flag to your prompt as well (several users reporting that Claude is recruiting subagents without disclosing this to the user)

• ie “ --no-agent for the remainder of our work in this session. DO NOT use the Task tool. Use Grep to find files, Read to check them, and Edit to fix them directly."

2. use /config in the CLI to disable auto-compact, as this is another source of token overconsumption

If anyone else finds ways to reduce token consumption while we wait, feel free to share! 👍