Anthropic cut direct access to its Claude AI models for Windsurf amid rumors OpenAI is buying the AI coding assistant startup for $3 billion.
The issue started after Bloomberg reported OpenAI’s potential acquisition. Windurf said Anthropic’s move forced it to scramble for third-party computing power, causing instability for users relying on Claude via Windsurf.
Windsurf declined to comment on Anthropic CSO Jared Kaplan’s remarks. OpenAI also didn’t respond. None of the companies have confirmed the acquisition rumors. 
Kaplan told TechCrunch at TC Sessions: AI 2025 the move was about reserving compute for "lasting partnerships." Anthropic is currently limited on computing resources and wants to focus on long-term customers.
“We really are just trying to enable our customers who are going to sustainably be working with us in the future,” Kaplan said.
“I think it would be odd for us to be selling Claude to OpenAI,” he added.
Kaplan revealed Anthropic is unlocking new compute from Amazon that should expand model availability soon.
He also said Anthropic is working closely with other coding AI customers like Cursor—with whom it expects a long-term relationship. Kaplan rejected the idea Anthropic sees these companies as competitors, even if they build their own models.
Meanwhile, Anthropic is shifting focus to building agentic coding products like Claude Code instead of AI chatbots. Kaplan called chatbots "static" and sees AI agents as the more useful long-term approach.
The Claude-Windsurf split is the latest twist in the growing AI coding wars.
