Run Claude Code on KeepRouter — Claude plus cheaper models, one key
Claude Code speaks Anthropic's Messages API. KeepRouter serves that API natively at /v1/messages, so you can point Claude Code at KeepRouter and run Claude at cost — or drop in a cheaper model like Zhipu GLM, DeepSeek, or Kimi for routine work, with the same two-line setup. One prepaid key, 50+ models, no extra accounts.
Setup (two lines)
Point Claude Code at KeepRouter with two environment variables:
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://keeprouter.com
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN=sk-kr-your-keyOr add them to ~/.claude/settings.json:
{
"env": {
"ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://keeprouter.com",
"ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "sk-kr-your-key"
}
}Then run claude as usual. Streaming, tool use, and extended thinking pass straight through the native Messages API — no translator or proxy in the middle.
Pick a model for the job
Switch models inside Claude Code with /model <id>. These all work over the native Messages endpoint:
| Model | Maker | Price /1M (in / out) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
claude-opus-4-8 | Anthropic | $5.00 / $25.00 | hardest reasoning + long agentic coding |
claude-sonnet-4-6 | Anthropic | $3.00 / $15.00 | balanced daily driver |
claude-haiku-4-5 | Anthropic | $1.00 / $5.00 | fast, cheap edits |
glm-4.6 | Zhipu AI | $0.60 / $2.20 | strong coding at a fraction of Opus |
kimi-k2.6 | Moonshot AI | $0.68 / $3.41 | long-context work |
deepseek-v3.2 | DeepSeek | $0.23 / $0.34 | very cheap routine coding |
free | — | $0 / $0 | testing the setup |
See the full list on Models & pricing.
What a turn costs
A typical Claude Code turn — roughly a 10,000-token prompt and a 2,000-token reply — costs, at KeepRouter's at-cost prices:
| Model | Cost per turn |
|---|---|
claude-opus-4-8 | ~$0.100 |
claude-sonnet-4-6 | ~$0.060 |
glm-4.6 | ~$0.010 |
deepseek-v3.2 | ~$0.003 |
free | $0 |
Route routine turns to a cheaper model and keep Opus for the hard ones — often 10–30× cheaper on the bulk of your turns. You pay only for tokens, at cost (0% markup), with no monthly fee.
Frequently asked questions
Does tool use / function calling work?
Yes — tool calls pass through the native Messages API unchanged.
Does streaming work?
Yes, over the same endpoint.
Can I switch models mid-session?
Yes — /model <id> in Claude Code.
Do I need a separate Anthropic account?
No. One KeepRouter key (sk-kr-…) covers Claude and every other model.
Is it only for Claude models?
No — any model KeepRouter serves works through the same /v1/messages endpoint; just set the model id.