How I avoid hitting Claude Code 5-hour limits early

I have been been optimizing my Claude code usage to make sure I don’t hi the 5-hour limit and get timed out for hours. I still get timed out for an hour or so now and then in a really intense session but not with 4 hours to go for next 5 hour reset.

Here is what I do keep using claude code longer

• Avoid using Claude web app logged into the same account. In my experience, using claude web app eats up quota way faster and since it's shared with claude code, the 5-hour timeout hits faster.

• Also, between asking claude code to implement features, i would recommend exiting and starting a new session to clear our the context. that will save some tokens. or at least use /compact command to compress the context.

• Try to get each new feature or task done in claude code with as few prompts as possible. Since, you already have a workflow that's working for you, try to write all the instructions in the first prompt itself

• Your first 5 hour window every day whenever you send first prompt. Say you are starting work at 8AM every day. I would recommend setting up a cron job that runs every day around 4AM to send one simple message to claude code (e.g. claude -p "Hi") to kick start your first 5 hour slot. So when you actually start working at 8AM, you will just have 1 hour till your 5 hour slot resets.

• use /context to visualize your context. If something is using too much context tokens, let’s say extra MCP servers that you don’t need, remove them.

• If you can, stick to sonnet 4/4.5 model. Opus quota runs out faster.

Your main goal is to minimize both token usage as well as minimize the no. of prompts you send to Claude Code. If you have any tips that work for you, let me know.