Claude AI Works on Website but VS Code Extension Says “Login First” — Even After Buying Pro Plan

If you’ve purchased a Claude Pro (paid) plan, successfully logged into the VS Code extension, and then suddenly, after a few days, it starts showing:

“Signup/Login first to continue”

…while the same account is still logged in on the Claude website, you’re dealing with a common but confusing issue.

Let’s break down what’s really happening.

The Situation

1. You bought a Claude Pro monthly plan
2. You logged into the VS Code extension successfully
3. Everything worked initially
4. After 2-3 days, the extension logs you out
5. It asks you to “Login first” again
6. But the Claude website still shows you as logged in
7. This feels like a bug, but it’s usually not exactly that.

Why This Happens

1. VS Code Session Expires Separately

The Claude website and the VS Code extension do not share the same session.

• The website keeps you logged in using browser cookies.
• The VS Code extension uses its own authentication token.
• That token can expire after a few days.

So even if the website works, the extension may silently log you out.

2. Paid Plan ≠ Permanent Authentication

Buying a Pro plan only gives you access—it does not keep the extension permanently logged in.

• Your subscription is active and needs renewal

3. Token Refresh Issues (Common Cause)

Ideally, the extension should refresh your login automatically, but sometimes:

• Token refresh fails
• Network interrupts the session
• VS Code goes idle or sleeps
• Extension bugs prevent re-authentication

Result: You get forced back to “Login first”.

4. VS Code Environment Limitations

Unlike browsers, VS Code:

• Doesn’t manage sessions as robustly
• May lose stored credentials after restart/update
• Can clear extension state in some cases

5. Account Still Valid, Only Session Lost

Important distinction:

• Your account is still active (Pro plan intact)
• Only the extension session has expired or broken

That’s why the website still works fine.

How to Fix It (Step-by-Step)

1. Re-login to the Extension

• Open the Claude extension in VS Code
• Click Login / Sign In
• Complete the authentication again

This usually resolves it immediately.

2. Restart VS Code

After logging in again:

• Close VS Code completely
• Reopen it to stabilize the session

3. Update or Reinstall Extension

If the issue repeats frequently:

• Update the extension
• Or uninstall → reinstall it

4. Avoid Long Idle Sessions

Try not to:

• Keep VS Code open for days without activity
• Use unstable networks during login

5. Check Account Consistency

Make sure:

• The same email/account is used everywhere
• No multiple Claude accounts are causing confusion

Is This a Bug?

It’s partly expected behaviour (due to session separation), but frequent logouts can also indicate:

• Minor bugs in the extension
• Token refresh issues
• Stability limitations of the current integration

Key Takeaway

Even with a paid Claude Pro plan, the VS Code extension requires separate and renewable authentication.

So when you see “Login first”, it usually means:

Your session expired, not your subscription.

This can definitely feel frustrating, especially after paying for a plan. But the good news is:

• Your account is safe
• Your subscription is active
• The fix is usually just a quick re-login

If the problem starts happening every day, then it may be worth reporting to Claude support, as that points more toward an extension-side issue rather than normal session expiry.