Anthropic has released Fast Mode for its top model, Claude Opus 4.6. This new option makes the AI respond up to 2.5 times faster.
It comes just days after Opus 4.6 launched on February 5, 2026. Developers asked for quicker speeds in agent tasks and coding.
Fast Mode is now in research preview on Claude Code, the API, and tools like GitHub Copilot. It trades speed for much higher cost.
Claude Opus 4.6 Fast Mode Pricing and Features
Fast Mode uses the same Claude Opus 4.6 model but changes settings for speed. It gives the same smart answers, just quicker.
- Toggle it on with /fast in Claude Code.
- Works in GitHub Copilot for Pro+ and Enterprise users.
- Ideal for live debugging and fast work.
- For long tasks, use normal mode to save money.
Key Specifications
- Speed Boost: Up to 2.5x faster token output than standard Opus 4.6.
- Pricing (Standard Opus 4.6): $5 per million input tokens, $25 per million output tokens.
- Fast Mode Pricing (<200K tokens): $30 per million input, $150 per million output (6x more).
- Fast Mode Pricing (>200K tokens): $60 per million input, $225 per million output (12x more).
- Discount: 50% off until February 16, 2026 (cuts to 3x/6x multiplier).
- Other Opus 4.6 Features: 1M token context window (beta), agent teams for parallel work, context compaction to handle long chats.
Also read about: Claude Gift Cards: Anthropic Launches AI Holiday Gifting
Comparison Table: Claude Opus 4.6 Modes
| Feature | Standard Mode | Fast Mode (<200K tokens) | Fast Mode (>200K tokens) |
| Speed | Normal | Up to 2.5x faster | Up to 2.5x faster |
| Input Price (/M tokens) | $5 | $30 | $60 |
| Output Price (/M tokens) | $25 | $150 | $225 |
| Price Multiplier | 1x | 6x | 12x |
| Discount Until Feb 16 | N/A | 50% off (3x effective) | 50% off (6x effective) |
| Best For | Long tasks, cost saving | Live coding, quick iteration | Long fast tasks (expensive) |
This launch adds heat to the AI race. It follows close releases from OpenAI like GPT-5.3-Codex. Developers get more choices for speed vs cost. Try Fast Mode now while the discount lasts
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