Claude Code · Claude · Apple · GitHub
HERMES.md in commit messages causes requests to route to extra usage billing
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When a git repository's recent commit history contains the case-sensitive string HERMES.md, Claude Code routes API requests to "extra usage" billing instead of the included Max plan quota.
Key facts
- When a git repository's recent commit history contains the case-sensitive string HERMES.md, Claude Code routes API requests to "extra usage" billing instead of the included Max plan quota
- The trigger is the string HERMES.md in git commit messages, not the presence of a file with that name on disk
- API request billing should not depend on the content of git commit messages in the system prompt
- Systematic binary search: cloning affected repos, testing orphan branches, then isolating individual commit message strings until HERMES.md was identified as the exact trigger
Summary
Claude Code v2.1.119. Minimal reproduction, no project files needed:. The trigger is the string HERMES.md in git commit messages, not the presence of a file with that name on disk. $200.98 in extra usage credits consumed for requests that should have been covered by the included Max 20x plan quota.