Claude Code BetterToken setup guide

Connecting BetterToken to Claude Code only requires ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN. Do not add /v1 to the Claude Code Base URL.

Prerequisites

Claude Code installed (see Claude Code docs)
BetterToken API Key (register here (https://www.bettertoken.ai/register))

Clear these environment variables before setup so they do not override your config file:

unset ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN
unset ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL

Setup

Automatic setup
Configure via CC Switch
Manual setup

You can run the BetterToken automatic setup script directly. It only writes the BetterToken provider configuration and does not replace the installation prerequisites above. The script requires Node.js. If you do not pass an API Key or model explicitly, the script prompts for them when the tool supports interactive input.Follow the step for your operating system. You only need one of them.

If you use macOS / Linux

curl -fsSL https://www.bettertoken.ai/install-claudecode-provider.sh | bash

If you use Windows

iwr https://www.bettertoken.ai/install-claudecode-provider.ps1 -OutFile "$env:TEMP\install-claudecode-provider.ps1"; powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "$env:TEMP\install-claudecode-provider.ps1"

Check your API Key group

First confirm which BetterToken API Key group you are using:

Claude_*: only set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN
Codex_*: set the auth fields and add Claude Code model mappings

Both groups still use the Anthropic protocol. In both cases, set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL to https://www.bettertoken.ai without /v1.

Edit the Claude Code config file

Config file location:

macOS / Linux: ~/.claude/settings.json
Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.claude\settings.json

If you use a Claude_* key, replace YOUR_API_KEY with your BetterToken API Key:

{
  "env": {
    "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://www.bettertoken.ai",
    "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC": "1",
    "API_TIMEOUT_MS": "3000000"
  }
}

With a Claude_* key, you do not need ANTHROPIC_MODEL, ANTHROPIC_SMALL_FAST_MODEL, ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_SONNET_MODEL, or other model variables. Claude Code manages model selection itself.

Add model mappings for Codex_* keys

If your API Key belongs to the Codex_* group, use this config instead:

If you use a Codex_* key, we recommend configuring Claude Code through CC Switch first. It handles the Claude Code model mappings and proxy toggle more reliably. Only use the manual config below when you explicitly want to maintain the config file yourself.

{
  "env": {
    "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://www.bettertoken.ai",
    "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC": "1",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_HAIKU_MODEL": "gpt-5.4",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_SONNET_MODEL": "gpt-5.4",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL": "gpt-5.4",
    "API_TIMEOUT_MS": "3000000"
  },
  "model": "opus"
}

Field reference:

Field	Description
`ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN`	Your BetterToken API Key
`ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL`	BetterToken `Base URL` for Claude Code
`CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC`	Set to `1` to reduce background traffic
`ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_HAIKU_MODEL`	Model used for Haiku-level tasks
`ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_SONNET_MODEL`	Model used for Sonnet-level tasks
`ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL`	Model used for Opus-level tasks
`model`	Default Claude Code model tier; `opus` uses `ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL`

gpt-5.4 is an example Codex group model ID. Use the current Codex group model IDs listed in the BetterToken model plaza (https://www.bettertoken.ai/pricing). You can map all three tiers to the same model or choose different ones.

Restart Claude Code

After updating the config file, fully quit Claude Code and start it again so the new config is loaded.

Complete first launch

If this is your first time using Claude Code, run claude and follow the onboarding prompts.

Start Claude Code

Open your project directory and run:

claude

Use the VS Code extension

If you use the Claude Code VS Code extension:

Install the extension

Search for Claude Code in the VS Code marketplace and install it.

Open settings

Open the extension settings UI.

Set environment variables

If you use a Claude_* key, click Edit in settings.json and update claudeCode.environmentVariables:

{
  "claudeCode.environmentVariables": [
    {
      "name": "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL",
      "value": "https://www.bettertoken.ai"
    },
    {
      "name": "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN",
      "value": "YOUR_API_KEY"
    },
    {
      "name": "CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC",
      "value": "1"
    },
    {
      "name": "API_TIMEOUT_MS",
      "value": "3000000"
    }
  ]
}

Add model mappings for Codex_* keys

If your API Key belongs to the Codex_* group, use:

{
  "claudeCode.environmentVariables": [
    {
      "name": "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL",
      "value": "https://www.bettertoken.ai"
    },
    {
      "name": "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN",
      "value": "YOUR_API_KEY"
    },
    {
      "name": "CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC",
      "value": "1"
    },
    {
      "name": "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_HAIKU_MODEL",
      "value": "gpt-5.4"
    },
    {
      "name": "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_SONNET_MODEL",
      "value": "gpt-5.4"
    },
    {
      "name": "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL",
      "value": "gpt-5.4"
    },
    {
      "name": "API_TIMEOUT_MS",
      "value": "3000000"
    }
  ]
}

gpt-5.4 is only an example Codex group model ID. Copy the current model ID from the BetterToken model plaza (https://www.bettertoken.ai/pricing). When the extension uses the Opus tier by default, it will resolve through ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL.

Restart the VS Code extension

After editing settings.json, restart VS Code or reload the Claude Code extension so the updated settings take effect.

Verify the setup

Start Claude Code and send a message. A normal reply means the connection is working. If authentication fails, check:

ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN contains the correct BetterToken API Key
ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL is https://www.bettertoken.ai
Claude_* keys are not setting model variables, or Codex_* keys include the ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_*_MODEL mappings
No old environment variables are overriding your config

FAQ

What should I do if I see API Error: Unable to connect to API (ConnectionRefused)?

This usually means Claude Code cannot reach the BetterToken API. It is normally a network, proxy, or firewall issue, not an API Key or model mapping problem.Check that your local network is working, then confirm your system proxy, company network, router, or security software is not blocking https://www.bettertoken.ai. If you use a firewall, allow Claude Code to access that address.

​Prerequisites

​Setup

​Use the VS Code extension

​Verify the setup

​FAQ

Prerequisites

Setup

Use the VS Code extension

Verify the setup

FAQ