{"version":"2.1.290","anchor":"websearch-gets-a-refilling-token-bucket-budget","canonical_anchor":"websearch-gets-a-refilling-token-bucket-budget","heading":"WebSearch now uses a budget that refills every hour","tier":"notice","area":"Web Search","scope":"individual","heads_up":true,"url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.290\/e\/websearch-gets-a-refilling-token-bucket-budget","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.290","markdown":"### WebSearch now uses a budget that refills every hour\n\nWebSearch is limited by an hourly refilling budget instead of a simple count, adjustable with CLAUDE_CODE_WEB_SEARCH_REFILLS_PER_HOUR\n\n**Unclear.** The actual limits and what turns refilling on by default are not stated.\n\n**What**\n\nWebSearch is the tool Claude uses to search the web. The number of searches is now governed by a budget that refills over time, instead of a plain count of calls.\n\nThe refill rate per hour comes from:\n\n- `CLAUDE_CODE_WEB_SEARCH_REFILLS_PER_HOUR`, an environment variable (a named value you set before starting Claude Code)\n\n- Otherwise, a value sent by the server, used only when refilling by default is turned on\n\nThe server's value must be a whole number within an allowed range. If it is not, Claude Code logs a warning and uses its default refill rate.\n\n**Why**\n\nThis changes how many web searches a session can make over time. If you need a different rate, you can set it yourself with the environment variable.\n\n- Area: Web Search\n- Tier: You'll notice\n- Useful: 3\/5\n- Signal: 1\/5\n- Scope: individual\n- Heads-up: yes"}