You've hit your usage limit (still after setting my key)

Support Help
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1

Hello,

I installed Cursor earlier and quickly hit the usage limit. Later, I added my own Anthropic API key in settings, but I still see:

“You’ve hit your usage limit”

I’ve restarted Cursor and confirmed the API key is valid.

Expected: Cursor should use my API key and not enforce its own usage limits.
Actual: Usage is still blocked by the limit message.

Is there an additional step required to fully switch to a personal API key, or could my account still be flagged as limited from earlier usage?

Please advise.

3

Hey, thanks for the request. This isn’t a bug. Using your own API keys (BYOK) in Agent and Ask modes now requires a Pro subscription on all plans, including Free.

It used to work on the Free plan as an undocumented option, but the behavior changed. More details here: Ask mode with my own API Key required Pro Subscription

Your options:

  • Upgrade to Pro ($20/month). Then you can use your Anthropic key
  • Stay on Free and use Cursor’s built-in free models (no custom keys)

I know it’s frustrating when something stops working, but this is a policy change, not a bug.

4

Actually I have the same issue but I am using the Pro Plan and added my Azures API keys and still seeing the usage limit message and cannot use the app.