Pause workflows at the usage limit

When a run hits your usage limit

When an agent hits your claude.ai usage limit, the run pauses rather than failing that agent: the agents that hit the limit wait for the reset, and no new agents start. Shortly after the limit resets, the waiting agents run again and the run continues on its own. Requires Claude Code v2.1.271 or later; on earlier versions, the affected agents fail.

While the run waits, its progress line in the task panel and the /workflows header show when the limit resets.

The run pauses only when all of these hold; when one doesn't, the affected agent fails instead:

• The session is interactive and signed in with a claude.ai subscription. A run doesn't pause in non-interactive mode with claude -p or the Agent SDK, in a background session, or in a Remote Control or agent team teammate session.
• autoContinueAtUsageLimit is on, the same setting that lets the session itself wait for a usage limit to reset. If you turn it off during a wait, the wait ends and the waiting agents fail.
• The limit resets within 24 hours. A weekly limit can reset further out.
• The run hasn't already waited twice. When it hits the limit a third time, the agent fails.