Using an API key (not subscription) with Claude Code - Desktop Version
19:53 08 Feb 2026

I already use Claude Code both in the CLI and the VS Code extension. I'm trying to figure out how to setup Claude Code - Desktop App Version to use an API key instead of a subscription. Because I am a "free" user, I am presumably redirected from the desktop app to the Claude Code landing page: https://claude.com/product/claude-code

Has anyone had success setting this up with an API key?

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claude anthropic