Claude Code Setup: Claude Models, API Key, and Base URL

Claude models can connect directly through terminal variables or a settings file. Kimi and GLM use the same Base URL with explicit model mappings. Start with the Claude Code custom API endpoint, API Key, and Base URL guide. GPT requires advanced setup.

Key settings

Field	Value
API Key	BetterToken API Key
Base URL	`https://bettertoken.ai`
Model	Managed by Claude Code

Prerequisites

Install the latest Claude Code
Install Node.js
Create and copy a BetterToken API Key

Install

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Command-line setup

The BetterToken Automatic setup script writes the Claude Code provider configuration. It requires Node.js and prompts for the API Key when one is not passed as an argument.

macOS / Linux
Windows

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

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

After it finishes, inspect ~/.claude/settings.json (or %USERPROFILE%\.claude\settings.json on Windows) and fully restart Claude Code. Use the manual setup below when you want to control each field yourself.

Manual setup

Configure the Claude provider

Claude Code CLI reads:

System	File
macOS / Linux	`~/.claude/settings.json`
Windows	`%USERPROFILE%\.claude\settings.json`

Add:

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

The Claude provider needs only these four variables. Do not add ANTHROPIC_MODEL or ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_*_MODEL.

Configure a Kimi or GLM provider

Kimi and GLM require model mappings in the same settings.json. Replace each YOUR_MODEL_ID with a Model ID from the Setup dialog or model plaza:

{
  "env": {
    "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://bettertoken.ai",
    "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC": "1",
    "API_TIMEOUT_MS": "3000000",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_HAIKU_MODEL": "YOUR_MODEL_ID",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_SONNET_MODEL": "YOUR_MODEL_ID",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL": "YOUR_MODEL_ID"
  }
}

The three mappings can use one Model ID or different models from the same provider. Do not put a GPT Model ID here; use the advanced setup at the end of this page.

Configure the Claude Code VS Code extension

The extension uses VS Code settings.json. Add a separate claudeCode.environmentVariables configuration:

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

Run Developer: Reload Window, or fully restart VS Code.

Verify the connection

Start Claude Code in your project:

claude

Send a short message. A normal response without 401, connection, or model errors confirms the setup. Fully restart Claude Code after changing the file.

Switch models

Claude provider: let Claude Code manage model selection. Do not add ANTHROPIC_MODEL or ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_*_MODEL.
Kimi or GLM provider: change ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_HAIKU_MODEL, ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_SONNET_MODEL, and ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL, then fully restart Claude Code.
GPT provider: follow the advanced setup below to switch models.

Common errors

Error	Fix
`401` or authentication failure	Check `ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN` and remove spaces around the API Key.
`ConnectionRefused`	Use exactly `https://bettertoken.ai`; do not append `/v1`.
Model not found	Do not set a model manually for Claude. For Kimi or GLM, check that all three `ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_*_MODEL` values use current Model IDs.
Configuration not applied	Check the file path, clear conflicting environment variables, and fully restart Claude Code.

Advanced setup

Supported providers

Provider	Status
Claude	Command-line + manual setup
GPT	Advanced setup
Kimi	Manual setup
GLM	Manual setup

Statuses apply to the BetterToken setup documented on this page.

What the setup methods mean

Advanced setup: install CC Switch and use a local proxy, protocol conversion, or model mapping.
Manual setup: enter the API Key, Base URL, and Model.
Command-line + manual setup: use a generated command or follow the complete manual steps.

To use GPT in Claude Code, configure it through CC Switch with BetterToken. Enter the API Key, Base URL, and Model Mapping in the Claude Code tab, then enable the proxy.

Technical details

Protocol and endpoint

Claude Code uses Anthropic Messages. Set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL to https://bettertoken.ai; the client appends /v1/messages, so do not add /v1 to the Base URL.

Getting started

Coding Agent setup

AI application platform setup

Advanced

Claude Code Setup: Claude Models, API Key, and Base URL

Key settings

Prerequisites

Install

Command-line setup

Manual setup

Configure the Claude provider

Configure a Kimi or GLM provider

Configure the Claude Code VS Code extension

Verify the connection

Switch models

Common errors

Advanced setup

Supported providers

Technical details

​Key settings

​Prerequisites

​Install

​Command-line setup

​Manual setup

​Configure the Claude provider

​Configure a Kimi or GLM provider

​Configure the Claude Code VS Code extension

​Verify the connection

​Switch models

​Common errors

​Advanced setup

​Supported providers

​Related FAQ

​Technical details

Key settings

Prerequisites

Install

Command-line setup

Manual setup

Configure the Claude provider

Configure a Kimi or GLM provider

Configure the Claude Code VS Code extension

Verify the connection

Switch models

Common errors

Advanced setup

Supported providers

Related FAQ

Technical details