Picture this: you’re a developer knee-deep in a complex project, juggling planning, coding, and debugging, all while keeping an eye on your AI budget. It’s a lot. But what if your AI coding assistant could think like a strategist and code like a pro, all while keeping costs in check? That’s exactly what Anthropic’s latest update to Claude Code delivers with its new Opus Planning Mode, launched on August 5, 2025. This clever feature pairs the brainy Claude Opus 4.1 for planning with the nimble Claude Sonnet 4 for coding, slashing token usage and making your workflow smoother than ever. Let’s unpack why this is a big deal and how you can make it work for you.
A Smarter Way to Code
Claude Code, Anthropic’s command-line AI assistant, has been a favorite among developers for its ability to write, debug, and manage code directly in your terminal. But until now, switching between its powerful models—Opus for deep reasoning and Sonnet for everyday coding—meant manual tweaks that slowed you down. Enter Opus Planning Mode, a hybrid approach that lets Opus handle the big-picture strategy while Sonnet churns out the code. The result? A seamless workflow that’s both brilliant and budget-friendly.
Why does this matter? AI models like Claude charge per token—a unit of data processed during a task. Opus 4.1, with its unmatched reasoning skills, costs a hefty $15 per million input tokens and $75 per million output tokens. Sonnet 4, while still powerful, is a steal at $3 and $15, respectively. By using Opus only for planning and Sonnet for execution, Opus Planning Mode cuts token costs dramatically, often by 50% or more for complex projects, according to developer reports on X. One user shared, “I refactored a messy React app in half the time and spent way less than with Opus alone!”
This isn’t just about saving a few bucks. It’s about making AI coding practical for everyone, from solo developers to big teams. By balancing cost and performance, Claude Code is inching closer to a future where AI can autonomously tackle multi-hour tasks—like building an app from scratch or debugging a sprawling codebase—without breaking the bank.
How It Works: The Science of Smart Planning
Opus Planning Mode is like hiring a brilliant architect and a skilled builder for the same project. Claude Opus 4.1, Anthropic’s flagship model, excels at complex reasoning, scoring 74.5% on the SWE-bench Verified benchmark for real-world coding tasks. It’s perfect for mapping out a project, creating to-do lists, and anticipating pitfalls. For example, if you’re building a finance tracker app, Opus might outline the architecture, suggest React for the frontend, and propose a SQLite database for the backend, all while flagging potential scaling issues.
Once the plan is set, Claude Sonnet 4 takes over. Sonnet matches Opus on many coding tasks, scoring 72.7% on SWE-bench, but it’s faster and cheaper, making it ideal for writing and editing code. In Opus Planning Mode, you toggle to this mode (Shift+Tab twice in the Claude Code terminal), give a high-level prompt like “Build a personal finance app,” and watch the magic unfold. Opus creates a detailed plan—think file structures, API endpoints, and task lists—then hands off to Sonnet to write the actual code, edit files, and even run tests. The mode switches models automatically, so you don’t have to micromanage.
This hybrid approach isn’t just a gimmick. Benchmarks show that splitting tasks between Opus and Sonnet maintains near-top performance while cutting costs. In a test shared by Anthropic, a seven-hour coding session that would’ve cost $30 with Opus alone dropped to $12 in Opus Planning Mode. Developers on X are calling it a “cheat code” for productivity, with one saying, “It’s like having a senior engineer plan and a junior coder execute—except they’re both AI and insanely fast.”
Your Guide to Using Opus Planning Mode
Ready to try this game-changer? Opus Planning Mode is available to Claude Code users with a Pro ($20/month) or Max ($100/month) subscription, or via Anthropic’s API for usage-based pricing. Here’s how to get started, whether you’re a coding newbie or a seasoned pro:
Set Up Claude Code: If you haven’t already, install Claude Code globally using Node.js. Open your terminal and run:
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
Then, launch it with claude and authenticate with your Anthropic account (you’ll need at least $5 in API credits). For Windows users, set up Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) first, as outlined in Anthropic’s guide.
Activate Opus Planning Mode: In the Claude Code terminal, toggle to Plan Mode by pressing Shift+Tab twice. You’ll see a confirmation that you’re in “Plan Mode with Opus 4.1.” Alternatively, use the /model command and select the hybrid Opus-Sonnet option.
Give a High-Level Prompt: Start with a clear goal, like “Create a to-do list app with React and a Node.js backend.” Opus will generate a detailed plan, including file structures and tasks. Review and approve the plan (or tweak it) before Sonnet kicks in to write the code.
Let Sonnet Code: Once you approve the plan, Sonnet takes over, creating files, writing code, and even running tests. You can pause to review changes or switch to Auto-Edit Mode for hands-off execution. Use commands like /init to let Claude analyze your codebase and maintain context via a CLAUDE.md file.
Monitor Costs: Check token usage with the /cost command to keep your budget in check. If you’re working on a big project, enable prompt caching (up to 90% cost reduction) or batch processing (50% off) via the API.
Integrate with Your Tools: Claude Code plays nice with VS Code and JetBrains via extensions, or GitHub for pull request reviews. For example, tag Claude in a GitHub PR, and it’ll suggest fixes using Sonnet’s efficiency.
Pro tip: Use the /compact command to summarize long sessions and save tokens, or /clear to reset context for new tasks. If you hit a snag, like Sonnet struggling with complex logic, switch back to Opus for a quick replan with /model opus-4-1.
Why This Matters for the Future
Opus Planning Mode isn’t just a cool trick—it’s a glimpse into how AI is reshaping coding. By splitting tasks between a high-cost, high-reasoning model and a cheaper, faster one, Anthropic is tackling a key barrier: making powerful AI affordable. This matters for startups on tight budgets, freelancers juggling gigs, and enterprises scaling AI across teams. Posts on X highlight the excitement, with one developer noting, “This mode makes Claude feel like a teammate who plans and codes, not just a tool.”
There’s a catch, though. Opus 4.1’s ASL-3 safety rating means it’s powerful enough to require strict safeguards, like anti-jailbreak measures. Some users worry about costs creeping up during long sessions, especially with “Extended Thinking” enabled, which can burn tokens fast. Anthropic counters this with tools like Helicone for real-time cost monitoring, but you’ll still want to keep an eye on usage.
A Step Toward Smarter AI
Opus Planning Mode is more than a cost-saver—it’s a step toward AI agents that can handle complex, multi-hour tasks with minimal human input. Imagine an AI that not only writes your app but anticipates bugs, optimizes performance, and pushes it to GitHub, all while you focus on the big picture. That’s the future Anthropic is chasing, and this update brings it closer.
Whether you’re building a side project or leading a dev team, Opus Planning Mode makes Claude Code feel like a partner, not just a tool. It’s smart, efficient, and—dare we say it—kind of exciting. So, fire up your terminal, give it a spin, and see how AI can take your coding to the next level.