How to give Claude a spending limit

What does a spending limit for Claude actually do?

It sets a hard ceiling on what Claude can spend for you. The limit isn't a polite instruction Claude has to remember — it's built into each one-time card number Claude receives, and the card network enforces it. If Claude tries to go over, the charge is simply declined.

That matters because AI assistants work from instructions, and instructions can be misunderstood. A limit enforced by Visa and Mastercard doesn't depend on Claude getting everything right.

How do I connect Claude?

Sign up for AI Allowance, verify your identity once and save your card. Then, in Claude, open Settings → Connectors, choose “Add custom connector”, name it AI Allowance and paste the connection link from your AI Allowance account. Claude can now ask for payments within your allowances.

• Create your AI Allowance account and verify it's you.
• Save your Visa or Mastercard in the secure form.
• In Claude: Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector.
• Paste your AI Allowance connection link and click Add.

How do I set the limit?

In AI Allowance, tap “New allowance”, pick Claude, and answer a few simple questions: how much, how often, where it can shop, whether to stick to one store, whether to ask you first over a set amount, and when it ends. You'll see a plain-English summary before confirming.

Should I use weekly, monthly or one-time limits?

Use weekly for regular errands like groceries, monthly for things like books or subscriptions, and one-time for a single task such as booking a trip or buying a gift. One-time allowances are the tightest option because they stop once the amount is used up.

If you're not sure, start with a one-time allowance for a single task and watch how Claude handles it. Once you're comfortable, switch to a weekly or monthly allowance for the jobs you want Claude to take on regularly, and keep an “ask me first” amount for anything unusual.

You can give Claude several allowances at once — for example a weekly grocery allowance and a one-time travel allowance — each with its own limit and stores.

How will I know what Claude spent?

Every purchase shows up in your activity feed with the store, amount, which allowance it used and whether it was approved or declined. You can get an email for every purchase, or only for declines and items needing your OK. Text alerts are part of the Personal plan.

How do I take the limit away?

Cancel the allowance from your dashboard, or flip Claude's on/off switch to pause it entirely. Pausing stops Claude from getting any new card numbers immediately. You can turn it back on whenever you like, with all your settings kept.