Anthropic Reinstates OpenClaw Usage with Catch

Anthropic has responded to community pressure by reinstating the use of OpenClaw and third-party agent tools on Claude subscriptions—but with important new restrictions. The announcement, made via the company's official developer communications account, marks a reversal of a previous policy that had frustrated many power users. OpenClaw is an open-source agentic harness that allows developers to build autonomous agents capable of performing complex tasks using Claude's underlying language model. When Anthropic initially restricted its use, the developer community reacted strongly, arguing that the move undermined the spirit of open-source innovation that had made Claude popular. Under the new policy, users can once again power OpenClaw with their Claude subscription, but they must adhere to stricter usage guidelines. Specifically, Anthropic has imposed limits on the number of concurrent agent sessions and the types of tasks that can be automated. High-risk applications, such as those involving financial transactions or automated content generation at scale, require additional approval. The company stated that these restrictions are necessary to maintain platform stability and prevent abuse. By limiting how OpenClaw can be enacted, Anthropic aims to strike a balance between empowering developers and protecting the integrity of its service. Early reactions from the developer community are mixed. Many are relieved that OpenClaw support has returned, but some feel the new restrictions are too vague or restrictive. 'It's a step in the right direction, but the limits on concurrent sessions could hamper serious projects,' one developer commented on social media. Anthropic has promised to monitor the situation closely and may adjust the policy based on user feedback. The company is also working on official documentation to clarify the new rules and provide examples of approved use cases. This move reflects a broader tension in the AI industry between openness and control. As AI models become more powerful, companies like Anthropic must navigate the delicate balance between fostering innovation and ensuring responsible use. For now, OpenClaw fans can breathe a sigh of relief—but they should read the fine print carefully.