Claude Code's 25,000-token MCP limit bypassed by 49,964-token result

Developers tested Claude Code 2.1.273 and found its 25,000-token MCP output check only runs after a character-based check. A 24,000-character CJK result reached context as 49,964 tokens, roughly twice the documented limit.

• Character check fires between 45,000 and 52,000 characters
• 24,000 CJK characters became 49,964 tokens in context
• The 25,000-token limit is set via MAX_MCP_OUTPUT_TOKENS
• Per-tool character ceiling reaches 500,000 via _meta