your message will exceed the length limit for this chat claude

How do you handle Claude's "message will exceed the length limit" issue mid-project?

reddit.com › r › ClaudeAI › comments › 1m3qcms › how_do_you_handle_claudes_message_will_exceed_the

The best 2 ways to handle this is to have Claude break down a project into smaller parts and designate a chat to each part so that you effectively minimize how frequently the chat runs into that limitation. If for whatever reason i feel like i am running close to the chat limit, I have Claude create a detailed handoff document that outlines progress made, obstacles and challenges, how we overcame those challenges, and any other context that is needed for the next chat to pick up as seamlessly as possible from the point of interruption.i also create a progress report document that includes detailed project information in the project knowledge so that the chat always has a reference point for stuff from previous chats. It's an imperfect tool but this helps minimize interrupting the flow. Answer from elitefantasyfbtools on reddit.com

reddit.com › r/claudeai › messages exceeding length limit for chat

r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: Messages exceeding length limit for chat

July 9, 2024 -

I've noticed this behaviour working on projects over a number of hours. At some point I keep getting the error "Message exceeding length limit for chat" even with very short queries - in the latest case, a paragraph of 135 word.

This is independent of the total messages limit which pops up from time to time. The link in the alert box takes me here: https://support.anthropic.com/en/articles/7996848-how-large-is-claude-s-context-window which makes me think this is the expected behaviour, but limiting it by so much seems extreme. Is this correct?

Top answer

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Claude like any LLM does not "remember" anything you tell it. Every time you ask it a question it has to re-read the entire history of the chat you've been having. It's like a person with zero short term memory who has to replay the entire conversation you're having with them in order to reply to you. It just does this really fast so it appears seamless This info -- the chat history including its answers,, any files you gave it, and your latest question -- is the context window. The window gets larger each time you ask it a question and there's a limit to the size. Once you've reached the limit, you have to start a new chat and it will not remember anything you've discussed. You basically will have to do your best to summarize what you talked about before and pick it up there If you pay for a sub, you get a bigger context window and can have a longer sustained conversation

2 of 5

Thanks Heybart. This is very different behaviour to ChatGPT which I have been using extensively for months. I may run into a daily quota issue for time to time, but never a total context limit. I’m reaching this limit in a few days with Claude. Paid subscriber for both. In any case, the memory bloat in Claude also becomes so problematic by this point that I usually start a new chat anyway.

Claude

support.claude.com › en › articles › 11647753-understanding-usage-and-length-limits

Understanding Usage and Length Limits | Claude Help Center

When chatting with Claude, you may encounter two different types of limits that work in distinct ways: usage limits and length limits. Understanding the difference between these can help you use Claude more effectively. Usage limits control how much you can interact with Claude over a specific time period. Think of this as your "conversation budget" that determines how many messages you can send to Claude, or how long you can work with Claude Code, before needing to wait for your limit to reset.

Claude

support.claude.com › en › articles › 12466728-understanding-claude-error-messages

Understanding Claude Error Messages | Claude Help Center

You may encounter a length limit error when your message to Claude exceeds the maximum input length allowed: "Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat.

AcademiaScribes

academiascribes.com › blog › working around claude's message limitations: tips and strategies

Working Around Claude's Message Limitations: Tips and Strategies

September 15, 2024 - When you see the "This conversation is getting long" warning, take it as a cue to wrap up and start a new chat. You can always summarize key points to carry over. Carefully crafting your prompts is another crucial strategy for getting more out ...

GitHub

github.com › anthropics › claude-code › issues › 2320

[BUG] · Issue #2320 · anthropics/claude-code

May 11, 2025 - Issuing a simple `/mcp list' is resulting in an error "Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat.

Published Jun 19, 2025

Aiville

aiville.com › c › claude-ai › claude-s-memory-and-token-limits-explained

Claude's Memory and Token Limits Explained | Aiville

Quick question for you all: Is there a way for Claude to keep info for future chats? I’ve uploaded a bunch of interview transcripts for a project, but I keep hitting this annoying error: "Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat. Try s...

linkedin.com › posts › derekaweber_5-claude-quick-tips-for-if-you-are-running-activity-7376340791394410496-xKaa

Claude Tips for Avoiding Chat Length Limits | Derek Weber posted on the topic | LinkedIn

September 23, 2025 - This is the achilles heel of the expanded context window. As best you can (and especially if you are afraid you are nearing your token limit), consolidate your messages into longer paragraphs. (4) Leverage Claude's Tools Because each message requires a rehashing of the entire chat, proactively request Claude to generate what will be predictably long responses into an artifact.

GitHub

github.com › anthropics › claude-code › issues › 861

Contradictory Length Limit Alerts Prevent Code Completion and Force Context Loss · Issue #861 · anthropics/claude-code

April 24, 2025 - When Claude reaches maximum response length and displays "Hit Continue," clicking the button shows a conflicting message to start a new conversation, which breaks context continuity.

Published Apr 24, 2025

reddit.com › r/claudeai › how do you handle claude's "message will exceed the length limit" issue mid-project?

r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: How do you handle Claude's "message will exceed the length limit" issue mid-project?

July 19, 2025 -

Was in the middle of a long back-and-forth with Claude (desktop app), building a google complex app script step-by-step. Out of nowhere, I got the message: "Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat. Try shortening your message or starting a new conversation."

That basically killed the flow. I couldn’t properly extract the context or outputs before it cut off, and when I tried restarting in a new chat, using summary + code just wasn’t enough for Claude to pick up where we left off and started giving all the errors.

Anyone else run into this? How do you preserve continuity in long sessions or hand over context better?

Top answer

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2 of 12

Might want to move to Claude Code... You should not have to manage message limits on top of variance in LLM performance :/

Find elsewhere

Google Bing Mojeek

reddit.com › r/claudeai › your message will exceed the length limit for this chat - how to get around it

r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat - How to get around it

April 12, 2025 -

I am constantly receiving the frustrating message: "Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat. Try shortening your message or starting a new conversation."

I generally prefer the results of Claude Research over GPT's Deep Research. However, since my GPT Pro was active until yesterday, I began to notice how limited the Research is on Claude. Even with the $70 Max subscription, I am not able to continue a conversation after a single research session. This is a significant limitation for me, and it makes the Research less attractive than GPT's Deep Research.

- I dont know if Anthropic intend to fix it once Research is no longer in beta?
- Are there any tools that can help me get around it, save/download citations/sources?
- Is this related to MCP tools, attaching a Git repo?
- Is it related to the Desktop app?

Top answer

1 of 5

Ask Claude to summarise or create instructions from it to be share with a LLM. Use that in new chat and go on. This is the only work around

2 of 5

How are you paying only 70$ for the max plan?

TypingMind

blog.typingmind.com › home › claude rate exceeded: guide to fix and prevent the error

Claude Rate Exceeded: Guide to Fix and Prevent the Error

October 9, 2025 - Longer prompts and responses consume more tokens and can quickly exceed your per-minute token limit. If you’re making multiple calls to the API or through an automation workflow, add short delays between requests.

Actualized.org

actualized.org › forum › topic › 101251-claude-3-opus-message-limit-reached

Claude 3 Opus Message Limit Reached - Personal Development -- [Main] - Actualized.org Forum

May 17, 2024 - Does anybody else get the annoying message limit reach when using Claude 3 Opus? I find it annoying that I have to resort to using a lower level bot like ...

reddit.com › r/claudeai › need help with a project issue. your message will exceed the length limit for this chat.

r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: Need help with a project issue. Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat.

October 4, 2024 -

I made a project and added a pdf which uses 96% of claudes knowledge. No every message I do says: Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat. Try shortening your message or starting a new conversation. Is this because it calls the pdf which is too long or do they have an issue currently that just forbids me to ask questions? Id be happy to get answer because I have an exam tomorrow. Ty

Top answer

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Think a bit. If you use the 96% of the context window, you have a space left for 4%. Claude has a 200k limit context window (token input + output). So better strategy is to divide the study information in chunks of themes and use each one in diferent conversation. There are PDF splitters online, look for them.

2 of 3

We're now "teaching" students that basically get answers from computers they don't know how to critically think about, with the answers themselves coming from randos of past generations. Like we should keep advancing but also what the hell are we doing here?

Medium

medium.com › @PowerUpSkills › claude-desktop-constantly-hitting-limits-what-you-can-do-7d3915da1ffd

Claude Desktop Constantly Hitting Limits? What You Can Do | by Jannis | Medium

May 4, 2025 - First, a reality check: Claude’s limits aren’t going away. Whether you’re on the free, Pro, or even Max plan, Anthropic enforces message and token limits to keep the service stable for everyone.

Begins with AI

beginswithai.com › handling-large-ai-generated-apps-claudes-limitations-and-solutions

Handling Large AI-Generated Apps: Claude's Limitations and Solutions - Begins w/ AI

October 12, 2024 - The message limits reset every eight hours, and users must manage their usage effectively to avoid interruptions. The ‘maximum length allowed’ error occurs when Claude reaches its output token limit during a request. This situation is particularly common when users attempt to generate long ...

reddit.com › r/claudeai › exceeded "remaining length limit" help?

r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: Exceeded "remaining length limit" Help?

September 26, 2023 -

Today I attached a relatively small bit of text (something I've done many times in the past), and today I'm getting this error in Claude Pro (yes I paid the $20) "Message is xx% over the remaining length limit. Try replacing the attached file with smaller excerpts. Start a new conversation?"

Has anyone else encountered this? What is the length limit? As I understood it, Claude allows up to 100K tokens. I'm confused 😫

Top answer

1 of 3

Guessing your file is too big if it's a brand new conversation

2 of 3

i run into it all the time at the end of a longish conversation. Try shortening your query. Or start a new thread. It's offering to start a new conversation, so take Claude up on that.

YouTube

youtube.com › shorts › 4fDOnEJ21A0

Resuming a chat in Claude once the chat becomes too long - YouTube

01:26

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

Published November 14, 2024

Arsturn

arsturn.com › blog › what-to-do-when-you-hit-the-claude-usage-limit

Hit Your Claude Usage Limit? Here's What to Do Next

This is the single most effective trick in the book. Remember how Claude has to re-read the entire conversation each time? Well, if you start a fresh chat, the context window is empty!

reddit.com › r/claudeai › hit the length limit for a chat with a ton of very important context for a project -- any way to export things to a new chat?

r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: Hit the length limit for a chat with a ton of very important context for a project -- any way to export things to a new chat?

January 13, 2025 -

In the past I've asked it to give me a summary of all the important information, context, and data a new agent would need. However I haven't done that in a while and was in the middle of a very complicated pipeline when I hit the error that "Your message will exceed the length limit for this chat.". I cannot even send a "test" message let alone ask it to summarize things for the next agent.

Is there any way out of this situation or am I just fucked?

Top answer

1 of 12

Check out Colada! https://usecolada.com It lets you continue conversations using your own Anthropic API key, or using our managed one.

2 of 12

At a minimum, you can just copy the text old school and paste into a new chat, you'd lose whatever can't be copied but it's something

Promptsplitter

promptsplitter.app › articles › how-to-fix-the-message-too-long-error-in-claude

How to Fix the "Message Too Long" Error in Claude

Claude 2 has a limit of approximately 100,000 tokens, while Claude Instant has a smaller limit. If your message exceeds this limit, the system rejects it with the "message too long" error.