How to Check Your Claude Code Reset Timer and Usage Limits

Claude Code sessions reset every 5 hours with usage limits shared across claude.ai, Claude Code, and Claude Desktop. You can check your reset timer three ways: use the /usage command inside Claude Code, check Settings > Usage on claude.ai, or use Usagebar for instant macOS menu bar notifications at 50%, 75%, and 90% usage — preventing the frustration of hitting your limit mid-task.

What is Claude Code's reset timer and usage window?

Claude Code operates on a 5-hour session-based usage limit, not fixed clock times like "resets at 9 AM." Your personal timer starts the moment you send your first message, so reset times vary by user. According to Claude's official documentation, both Pro and Max plans share the same usage limits across all Claude surfaces — every token you use in Claude Code, claude.ai, or Claude Desktop counts against your 5-hour allocation.

Beyond the 5-hour session limit, Claude also enforces weekly usage caps that reset on a fixed schedule. This two-tier system means you need to monitor both your current session usage and your weekly remaining balance.

How to check your Claude Code reset timer using the /usage command

The fastest way to check your reset timer is directly inside Claude Code using the /usage command. This gives you an instant readout of your remaining capacity for the current 5-hour session and your weekly limit without leaving your editor.

Steps:

• Open Claude Code in your terminal or VS Code extension
• Type /usage and press Enter
• View your session percentage used and exact reset time

This method is most accurate because it pulls live data directly from Claude's servers. The reset timer will show the exact time your 5-hour window closes — typically in the format "Your limit will reset at 3:45 PM" or similar.

How to check usage via claude.ai settings

If you're working in the web version of Claude, navigate to Settings > Usage on claude.ai. You'll see progress bars showing your 5-hour session usage and weekly usage limits. This method works across all Claude products since limits are unified, but the web interface is slightly less convenient than the /usage command if you're already in Claude Code.

Limitation: The claude.ai interface sometimes shows slightly delayed updates compared to Claude Code's real-time status.

Why monitoring your reset timer matters

Claude Code's 5-hour lockout hits hardest when you're in the middle of debugging, refactoring, or shipping a critical feature. A sudden usage limit can force you to context-switch away from focused work, losing momentum. Usagebar solves this by monitoring your usage in the macOS menu bar — you get smart notifications at 50%, 75%, and 90% usage, giving you time to plan ahead instead of hitting the wall unexpectedly.

The key difference: reactive checking (using /usage whenever you remember) vs. proactive alerts (Usagebar watching in the background). Many developers lose 30+ minutes per week to unexpected lockouts that could be prevented with real-time monitoring.

Real-time monitoring with Usagebar

While the built-in /usage command and claude.ai settings work, they require manual checking. Usagebar automates this by displaying your Claude Code usage directly in the macOS menu bar — no commands, no clicking. It securely stores your credentials in macOS Keychain and refreshes automatically, so you always know exactly when your 5-hour window closes.

Key features:

• Smart alerts at 50%, 75%, and 90% usage thresholds
• Exact reset time countdown in the menu bar
• Secure Keychain credential storage (no passwords stored on disk)
• Pay-what-you-want pricing with a free tier for students

Unlike manually running /usage between tasks, Usagebar keeps you informed passively — preventing context switching and keeping you in flow state during critical work sessions.

Key takeaways for monitoring Claude Code usage

1. Use /usage for instant checks: The fastest way to verify your current reset timer from inside Claude Code
2. Check claude.ai Settings > Usage for a full view: See both 5-hour session and weekly limits in one place
3. Automate with Usagebar: Stop manually checking and get proactive alerts before you hit your limit
4. Remember usage is unified: Every Claude product counts against the same 5-hour session window
5. Plan around 5-hour cycles: Long projects spanning multiple cycles need strategic breaks or upgraded plans

When to upgrade or add usage

If you consistently hit your 5-hour limit before completing your work, you have options. Claude Pro and Max plans can add extra usage add-ons through claude.ai, or you can switch to Claude's API with pay-as-you-go billing if you need unlimited capacity for production work.

For solo developers and teams, Usagebar is the fastest way to optimize your existing plan by preventing wasted time — its paid version is available on a pay-what-you-want model, making it accessible regardless of your budget.

Sources

• Using Claude Code with Your Pro or Max Plan — Claude Support
• Usage Limit Best Practices — Claude Support
• Claude Code Limit Reached: Understanding Lockouts and Recovery — ClaudeLog
• When Does Claude Code Usage Reset — CometAPI