Error / Message
API rate limited / overloaded
The Anthropic API returned a temporary rate-limit or capacity error — usually resolved automatically with a short retry.
This isn't specific to anything you did wrong; it reflects momentary load or account-level rate limits on the API itself. Claude Code typically retries automatically after a brief pause, and most of the time this resolves without you needing to do anything.
If it persists well beyond a normal retry, it's worth checking your Anthropic account's usage and plan limits directly, since sustained rate-limiting usually means you're near a real usage ceiling rather than hitting transient load.
Nothing about your session or context is lost while this resolves — it's a delay, not a failure of the conversation itself.
Wait for the automatic retry; check account usage if it persistsFrequently asked questions
What does "API rate limited / overloaded" mean in Claude Code?
The Anthropic API returned a temporary rate-limit or capacity error — usually resolved automatically with a short retry.
How do I fix it?
Try: Wait for the automatic retry; check account usage if it persists
Is this something to worry about?
Nothing about your session or context is lost while this resolves — it's a delay, not a failure of the conversation itself.
Is this covered in the Claude Code Toolkit?
Yes — API rate limited / overloaded and patterns like it are part of the full command, hook, and template pack included with a Claude Code Toolkit subscription.
Want the full command, hook, and template pack?
This is one pattern out of the full Claude Code Toolkit — subscribe for the complete set, plus everything we add going forward.
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