Anthropic has revealed a new policy change that will require users to pay extra for using third-party tools like OpenClaw on their Claude subscription. Boris Cherny, a top executive at Anthropic, confirmed this adjustment, which will come into effect on April 4, 2026.
OpenClaw, an open-source agentic AI platform, gained popularity recently for its ability to run on AI models such as Claude or ChatGPT, enabling users to automate tasks through AI agents. Anthropic has been enhancing Claude with agentic AI features like Dispatch and remote computer control via smartphones, allowing tasks like app development and testing to be performed seamlessly.
Peter Steinberger, the creator of OpenClaw, expressed disappointment with Anthropic’s decision, mentioning unsuccessful attempts to persuade the company to reconsider. He also criticized Anthropic for allegedly incorporating OpenClaw’s features and subsequently restricting open-source access.
The reason cited by Anthropic for the extra charges is the non-optimized computing capacity for third-party tools like OpenClaw. Despite user complaints about faster token consumption on Claude, Anthropic clarified that no unfair charges were imposed and offered suggestions to manage token usage effectively.
Boris Cherny assured users that they can still utilize tools like OpenClaw by purchasing additional usage bundles or using a Claude API key at a discounted rate. Meanwhile, Peter Steinberger has joined OpenAI, emphasizing that OpenClaw remains open source without any affiliation with the Sam Altman-led startup.
The decision to charge extra for third-party tools has faced backlash from some users, who expressed concerns over the impact on their usage experience. In response, Anthropic announced plans to issue full refunds and discounts for overages, aiming to address user grievances and offer compensation where necessary.