AI BriefingAnthropic shifts Claude Agent SDK to API-only usage via monthly credits for Max and Team plans
Key point
As of October 7, 2026, the dedicated Agent SDK monthly credit is discontinued, replaced by broader API credits covering the SDK, API, and Managed Agents.
Details
Anthropic has updated the usage model for the Claude Agent SDK, removing the dedicated monthly credit previously announced in June. Effective October 7, 2026, users on Claude Max and Team plans must now utilize monthly API credits to access the SDK.
Credit Structure Changes
The new credit system consolidates access across multiple services. The monthly API credits included in Max and Team plans now cover:
- The Claude Agent SDK
- The Claude API (Messages API and Message Batches API)
- Claude Managed Agents
- The Playground in the Claude Console
User Action Required
To use these credits, users must claim them into a Claude Console organization and generate an API key from that organization. This shift effectively moves the Agent SDK from a plan-included feature with separate limits to a resource consumed from a shared API credit pool.
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