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Compare DeepSeek and Claude Code on the same task - choose a coding tool in 10 minutes

Run the same prompt in free DeepSeek and in Claude Code, compare results and cost - and decide which one to keep

  1. 1.Formulate the task: what should the code do - a script, a function, refactoring. Write it down in 1 - 2 sentences. For example: «write a Python script that renames all .jpg files in a folder by adding a date prefix».

    The more precise the description, the fairer the comparison. Keep the description handy - you will need it twice.

  2. 2.Open chat.deepseek.com, paste the prompt below, replace [TASK] with your task description. Copy the generated code into a file and check if it runs.

    DeepSeek web chat is free, you can start without signing up.

    DeepSeek ↗
    Prompt
    You are an expert software engineer. Complete this task: [TASK]. Write clean, production-ready code with error handling, type hints (if Python), and brief comments for key decisions. Return only code with a 1-2 sentence summary.
    What this prompt doesThe English prompt asks the model to write production-ready code. Replace [TASK] with your task description, for example: 'write a Python script that renames all .jpg files in a folder by adding a date prefix'.
  3. 3.Install Claude Code via terminal: run npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. You need Node.js version 18 or newer installed.

    If Node.js is not installed - download it from nodejs.org. If the service is unavailable in your region, you will need a VPN.

    Claude Code ↗About this tool
  4. 4.In the terminal, navigate to your project folder: cd /path/to/project. Run claude. In the dialog that appears, paste the same prompt from step 2, replacing [TASK]. Claude Code can read and modify project files directly.

    On first launch, Claude Code will ask for an Anthropic API key. The key is created at console.anthropic.com. The main advantage: the tool sees the project structure and edits files in place rather than just outputting text.

    Claude Code ↗About this tool
    Prompt
    claude
    What this prompt doesThe command launches Claude Code in interactive mode in the terminal. After launch, enter the same prompt as in step 2.
  5. 5.Compare the results by three criteria: 1) Quality - does the code run without edits? 2) Context - can the tool see project files? (DeepSeek - no, Claude Code - yes) 3) Cost - DeepSeek is free, Claude Code requires payment via API. If the task is one-off - keep DeepSeek. If you need ongoing work with a codebase - Claude Code.

    DeepSeek is optimal for standalone scripts and functions. Claude Code - for working inside a real project with multiple files and dependencies.

💰 What it costs to followprices as of 2026-08
  • freeDeepSeek Chat (web interface)Web chat is free, no card required.
  • APIClaude Code (Anthropic API)Requires an Anthropic API key, pay per tokens used. Exact prices - on the anthropic.com/pricing page.
  • freeNode.jsFree open-source runtime, needed only to install Claude Code.
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