Excessive token usage in Claude Code
github.com
February 21, 2026
1 min read
45/100
Summary
Claude Code version 2.1.1 exhibits excessive token usage, consuming tokens at a rate more than four times faster than previous versions. This issue has been reported specifically on Linux platforms.
Key Takeaways
- The update to Claude Code version 2.1.1 has resulted in excessive token usage, with users reporting consumption rates over four times faster than previous versions.
- Users have noted that they are hitting usage limits significantly quicker than before, with one user stating they reached their 5-hour limit multiple times in a single day.
- The issue appears to be specific to the Linux platform, as users on other platforms, like Heiku, are not experiencing the same excessive usage.
- Errors related to lock acquisition and aborted requests have been reported, indicating potential stability issues with the new version.
Coverage & discussions
Hacker News · github.com
Community discussions
Community Sentiment
Positives
- Professionals appreciate Claude's ability to spawn multiple subagents, as it enhances results despite higher token usage, indicating a strong preference for performance over cost.
- Users of Opus 4.6 report stable usage numbers, suggesting that the model maintains consistent performance for agentic programming tasks.
Concerns
- The recent VS Code extension update has degraded user experience, causing agents to become unresponsive and breaking workflow, which highlights potential issues with reliability.
- Many users express frustration over excessive token usage and limits, feeling that the model's behavior has become predatory, especially for those on lower-cost plans.
- A user has completely stopped using Claude due to degraded quality and has found alternatives like Codex that better meet their needs, indicating a significant loss of trust.
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