← Daily AI recipesWork✓ Verified Aug 23, 2026

Run Claude Code for free via an alternative model

Connect Claude Code to a free model via a third-party API and start coding with an AI assistant without a subscription

  1. 1.Install Node.js (version 18 or higher) if it is not already installed. Check it with the 'node -v' command in the terminal. If Node.js is not installed - download it from the official website and install it.

    If the service is unavailable in your region - use a VPN to access the download site.

    Node.js ↗
  2. 2.Install Claude Code globally with the command: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. After installation, check it: claude --version.

    If the installation fails with a permissions error - add sudo before the command (macOS/Linux).

    Claude Code CLI ↗About this tool
  3. 3.Register on OpenRouter and create an API key. Go to the Keys section, click Create Key, copy the key (starts with sk-or-). Free models are marked with a 'free' badge.

    Do not share your API key with third parties - it gives access to your account. Free models have a limit of 20 requests per day.

    OpenRouter ↗About this tool
  4. 4.In the terminal, in your project folder, launch Claude Code specifying the OpenRouter provider and a free model. Copy and paste your key instead of [YOUR_OPENROUTER_KEY]:

    The deepseek/deepseek-chat-v3-0324:free model is one of the few free ones supporting tool-use, which Claude Code needs. If it is unavailable - check the current list of free models on OpenRouter.

    Terminal ↗
    Prompt
    export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL='https://openrouter.ai/api/v1'
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY='[YOUR_OPENROUTER_KEY]'
claude --model deepseek/deepseek-chat-v3-0324:free
    What this prompt doesThe command sets the base API URL to OpenRouter, substitutes your key for [YOUR_OPENROUTER_KEY], and launches Claude Code with the free DeepSeek V3 model. Replace [YOUR_OPENROUTER_KEY] with the key obtained in step 3.
  5. 5.When Claude Code launches, write your first prompt right in the terminal. For example, ask it to explain the project structure or find a bug. Claude Code will automatically read the files in the current folder.

    If you get an authorization error - double-check that the key is copied fully without extra spaces, and that ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL is set exactly as in the command above.

    Claude Code CLI ↗
    Prompt
    Explain the structure of this project and list the main entry points. Focus on [main technology or framework used].
    What this prompt doesThe prompt asks Claude Code to analyze the project structure and list the main entry points. Replace [main technology or framework used] with your stack, for example 'React' or 'Python FastAPI'.
💰 What it costs to followprices as of 2026-08
  • freeNode.jsCompletely free runtime, installed once.
  • freeClaude Code CLIThe CLI tool itself is free; you only pay for calls to the API provider you choose.
  • APIOpenRouter (free tier)Free models (marked with free) are available at no cost; the limit is 20 requests per day per free model. Paid models are billed per request, see openrouter.ai/pricing.
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OpenRouter Documentationweb
Anthropic Claude Code Docsweb
npm - @anthropic-ai/claude-codeweb

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