4 solutions to resolve the OpenClaw error LLM request rejected You’re out of extra usage

Author's Note: This guide provides a detailed breakdown of why you're seeing the "LLM request rejected: You're out of extra usage" error when using Claude in OpenClaw, along with 4 proven solutions—including topping up Extra Usage, switching API keys, and using an unlimited-speed API proxy service.

Running into the LLM request rejected: You're out of extra usage error while using Claude models in OpenClaw is a common headache for developers lately. In this article, we’ll cover the root cause of this error (Anthropic's policy change) and 4 verified solutions to help you get OpenClaw back up and running in no time.

Key Takeaway: By the end of this post, you'll understand why your Claude subscription in OpenClaw suddenly stopped working and how to restore your workflow with minimal cost.

Analyzing the OpenClaw Claude Error

Understanding the Error Message

When you see the following error in OpenClaw:

claw APP
LLM request rejected: You're out of extra usage.
Add more at claude.ai/settings/usage and keep going.

This error means: Your Claude subscription quota has been restricted by Anthropic for use with third-party tools like OpenClaw. You need to purchase additional "Extra Usage" credits or switch to a different access method.

Why Claude in OpenClaw Suddenly Stopped Working

Anthropic officially enforced a ban on third-party tools on April 4, 2026, at 12:00 PM PT. Here are the core changes:

• ❌ Before: Claude Pro ($20/mo) / Max ($200/mo) subscription quotas could be used in OpenClaw.
• ✅ Now: Subscription OAuth tokens are restricted to official products like Claude.ai, Claude Code, and Claude Desktop.
• ⚠️ Third-party tools: OpenClaw, NanoClaw, etc., must now use "Extra Usage" (pay-as-you-go) or an independent API key.

Boris Cherny, head of Claude Code at Anthropic, explained: "Our subscription model wasn't designed for the usage patterns of these third-party tools. These tools place disproportionate stress on our systems."

The technical reason boils down to token arbitrage—some users were running $1,000 to $5,000 worth of workloads in OpenClaw using a $200/month Max subscription. Furthermore, third-party tools couldn't leverage Anthropic's Prompt Cache optimization, resulting in full computational costs for every single request.

OpenClaw Claude Error Solution 1: Purchase Extra Usage Credits

Steps

This is the official method recommended by Anthropic—purchasing Extra Usage pay-as-you-go credits directly on claude.ai.

Step 1: Open your browser and visit claude.ai/settings/usage (the link provided in the error message).

Step 2: Log in to your Claude Pro/Max account.

Step 3: Enable pay-as-you-go billing in the Extra Usage settings.

Step 4: Set an automatic recharge threshold (optional) or purchase a one-time credit amount.

Extra Usage Billing Rates

Extra Usage is billed at standard API rates:

Cost Estimation

Using typical OpenClaw usage as an example:

⚠️ Cost Warning: If you were a heavy OpenClaw user previously, the monthly cost of the Extra Usage plan might far exceed your original $200 Max subscription fee. This is exactly why Anthropic stopped covering third-party tools—some users' actual consumption far outweighed the subscription price.

Anthropic $200 Compensation Credits

Anthropic has provided one-time compensation credits equal to the monthly fee for affected users:

• Pro users receive $20 in credits.
• Max users receive $200 in credits.
• Credits must be used by April 17, 2026, after which they will expire.
• Credits can be used for Extra Usage on Claude.ai, Claude Code, Claude Desktop, or third-party applications.

OpenClaw Claude Error Solution 2: Switch to API Key Access (Recommended)

Why the API Key approach is recommended

The official OpenClaw documentation clearly states: For production environments or multi-user scenarios, Anthropic API key authentication is the most secure and recommended approach. Compared to the Extra Usage plan, the API key approach offers several advantages:

• It doesn't depend on your Claude subscription status.
• Costs are more transparent (billed directly by token).
• It's not affected by future changes to Anthropic's policies.
• It supports more flexible quota management.

How to configure your OpenClaw API Key

Method 1: Configure via environment variables

# Set your Anthropic API key
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-your-api-key-here"

# Add to your shell configuration file for persistence
echo 'export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-your-api-key-here"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Method 2: Configure via an API proxy service (Recommended)

# Use the APIYI API proxy service - access all models with one key
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-apiyi-key"
export OPENAI_BASE_URL="https://api.apiyi.com/v1"

# OpenClaw configuration file
# Switching from OAuth to API Key mode

providers:
  # Method 1: Use Anthropic API key directly
  anthropic:
    api_key: "sk-ant-your-key"
    models:
      - claude-sonnet-4
      - claude-haiku-4

  # Method 2: Unified access via APIYI (Recommended)
  # Access Claude, GPT, and Gemini with a single key
  openai-compatible:
    api_key: "your-apiyi-key"
    base_url: "https://api.apiyi.com/v1"
    models:
      - claude-sonnet-4
      - claude-opus-4
      - gpt-4o
      - gemini-3.1-pro

default_provider: openai-compatible
default_model: claude-sonnet-4

🚀 Quick Migration: Switching from OAuth to an API key takes just 3 steps: get your API key → set your environment variables → restart OpenClaw. Through APIYI (apiyi.com), you can obtain a unified API key, allowing you to access the entire suite of models—including Claude, GPT, and Gemini—with a single configuration, eliminating the need to manage multiple API accounts separately.

OpenClaw Claude Error Solution 3: Using an API Proxy Service

Core Advantages of API Proxy Services

For developers who use OpenClaw frequently, using an API proxy service offers several unique benefits:

Integration Code for Proxy Service

import openai

# Simply modify the base_url; the rest of the code remains unchanged
client = openai.OpenAI(
    api_key="your-apiyi-key",
    base_url="https://api.apiyi.com/v1"
)

# Claude model invocation used in OpenClaw
response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="claude-sonnet-4",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Help me analyze this code"}]
)

🎯 Pro Tip: If you're using both Claude and other models in OpenClaw, the unified interface at APIYI (apiyi.com) is incredibly convenient—you don't need to configure separate API keys and base_urls for every model provider. One configuration covers them all.

OpenClaw Claude Error Solution 4: Migrating to Other Models

Alternative Model Options

If you don't want to pay extra for Claude, you can switch to other model providers within OpenClaw:

Example: Switching OpenClaw to OpenAI

OpenAI has confirmed that ChatGPT subscriptions can still be used within OpenClaw—this is OpenAI's competitive response to Anthropic's restrictions.

# Switch to OpenAI in OpenClaw
export OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-your-openai-key"

# Or use a local model (via Ollama)
# Completely free, no API key required
ollama run llama4

Using Local Models with OpenClaw

For budget-conscious users, running local models via Ollama is a zero-cost alternative:

# Install Ollama
curl -fsSL https://ollama.com/install.sh | sh

# Download models
ollama pull llama4
ollama pull qwen3:14b

# OpenClaw will automatically detect local Ollama models

💡 Hybrid Strategy: Many developers use a hybrid approach: "Claude/GPT for critical tasks + local models for daily tasks." Managing cloud model invocation via APIYI (apiyi.com) while using local Ollama for simple tasks is the perfect balance between cost and performance.

Overview of 4 Solutions for OpenClaw Claude Errors

OpenClaw Error Troubleshooting Checklist

If you run into Claude-related errors in OpenClaw, follow these steps to troubleshoot:

Step 1: Identify the Error Type

• You're out of extra usage → Use the solutions in this article (subscription limits reached).
• invalid_api_key → Verify your API key is correct.
• rate_limit_exceeded → Wait a bit or switch to an API proxy service.
• model_not_found → Check for typos in the model name.

Step 2: Check Your Current Authentication Method

• If using OAuth (Claude subscription login) → You'll need to switch to an API key or purchase Extra Usage.
• If using an API key → Check your balance and usage limits.

Step 3: Choose a Solution

• For temporary use → Purchase Extra Usage.
• For long-term use → Switch to an API key + API proxy service.
• To cut costs → Migrate to other models or local models.

FAQ

Summary

Key points for resolving the OpenClaw LLM request rejected: You're out of extra usage error:

1. Root Cause: As of April 4, 2026, Anthropic prohibits the use of subscription OAuth tokens in third-party tools.
2. Temporary Fix: Purchase Extra Usage credits at claude.ai/settings/usage.
3. Recommended Solution: Switch to API key access mode, which doesn't rely on your subscription status.
4. Optimal Solution: Use an API proxy service to access the entire model lineup with one key, avoiding rate-limiting issues.
5. Compensation Credits: Don't forget to claim your compensation credits equal to your monthly fee (valid until April 17).

For developers using OpenClaw long-term, we recommend connecting via APIYI (apiyi.com). Simply update your base_url to manage your Claude, GPT, and Gemini model invocations with a single API key, saving you the headache of managing multiple platforms and accounts.

📚 References

1. OpenClaw Official Documentation: Gateway authentication guide

   • Link: docs.openclaw.ai/gateway/authentication
   • Description: The officially recommended method for configuring your API key.

2. OpenClaw FAQ: Troubleshooting and common issues

   • Link: docs.openclaw.ai/help/faq
   • Description: Includes official answers regarding "LLM request rejected" errors.

3. Anthropic Extra Usage Management: Setting up pay-as-you-go for Claude

   • Link: support.claude.com/en/articles/12429409-manage-extra-usage-for-paid-claude-plans
   • Description: How to enable and manage Extra Usage settings.

4. VentureBeat Report: Anthropic ends Claude subscription support for OpenClaw

   • Link: venturebeat.com/technology/anthropic-cuts-off-the-ability-to-use-claude-subscriptions-with-openclaw-and
   • Description: Detailed coverage and background analysis of the policy changes.

5. Claude API Pricing Page: Token pricing for various models

   • Link: platform.claude.com/docs/en/about-claude/pricing
   • Description: The latest API pricing for Claude models.

Author: APIYI Technical Team
Technical Discussion: If you run into any OpenClaw configuration issues, feel free to discuss them in the comments. For more AI development resources, visit the APIYI documentation at docs.apiyi.com.