> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bettertoken.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect Claude models to Claude Desktop with BetterToken

> Configure the BetterToken Claude provider in Claude Desktop Gateway with a Base URL and API Key.

This page covers direct Claude Desktop setup for the BetterToken **Claude provider** only. Enter your BetterToken API Key, `https://www.bettertoken.ai`, and `x-api-key`, then restart Claude Desktop.

## Key settings

| Field    | Value                        |
| -------- | ---------------------------- |
| API Key  | BetterToken API Key          |
| Base URL | `https://www.bettertoken.ai` |
| Model    | Claude provider model        |

## Prerequisites

* <a href={"https://bettertoken.ai/register"}>Create and copy a BetterToken API Key</a>
* Confirm that the API Key can use Claude provider models

## Install

Install or update to the latest version from the [Claude Desktop website](https://claude.ai/download), then start Claude Desktop.

## Manual setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable developer mode">
    In Claude Desktop, choose **Help** → **Troubleshooting** → **Enable Developer Mode** from the macOS menu bar.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bettertoken-d796114e/ZMo3cJhJx4ISRrsG/images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/enable-developer-mode-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ZMo3cJhJx4ISRrsG&q=85&s=88d5591c4fc6690a13b846df03f84991" alt="Select Enable Developer Mode from the Claude Desktop Help menu." style={{ borderRadius: '0.5rem' }} width="3840" height="2160" data-path="images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/enable-developer-mode-menu.png" />
    </Frame>

    Click **Enable** in the confirmation window, then restart Claude Desktop.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bettertoken-d796114e/yi2bQP5Q3QRPQ3t1/images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/developer-mode-confirm.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=yi2bQP5Q3QRPQ3t1&q=85&s=ec60755e271216c1383bd7ec466c58db" alt="Confirm developer mode in Claude Desktop." style={{ borderRadius: '0.5rem' }} width="520" height="480" data-path="images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/developer-mode-confirm.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open third-party inference settings">
    After the restart, choose **Developer** → **Configure Third-Party Inference...** from the macOS menu bar.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bettertoken-d796114e/ZMo3cJhJx4ISRrsG/images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/configure-third-party-inference.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ZMo3cJhJx4ISRrsG&q=85&s=f4412369928fe11c78433578e0efa60a" alt="Choose Configure Third-Party Inference from the Developer menu." style={{ borderRadius: '0.5rem' }} width="3840" height="2160" data-path="images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/configure-third-party-inference.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the BetterToken API settings">
    Select **Gateway**, then enter:

    | Field                   | Value                        |
    | ----------------------- | ---------------------------- |
    | **Gateway base URL**    | `https://www.bettertoken.ai` |
    | **Gateway API key**     | Your BetterToken API Key     |
    | **Gateway auth scheme** | `x-api-key`                  |

    Claude Desktop fetches the available Claude models after you select the auth scheme. Click **Apply locally**.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bettertoken-d796114e/ZMo3cJhJx4ISRrsG/images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/gateway-credentials.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=ZMo3cJhJx4ISRrsG&q=85&s=14951973725bde190ce650415e7b67f8" alt="Enter the BetterToken Gateway Base URL, API Key, and authentication scheme in Claude Desktop." style={{ borderRadius: '0.5rem' }} width="1800" height="1440" data-path="images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/gateway-credentials.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Verify the connection

Click **Save & Restart**. Select **Continue with Gateway**, then send a short message. The setup is active when **Gateway** appears in the lower-left corner and the message returns normally.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/bettertoken-d796114e/yi2bQP5Q3QRPQ3t1/images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/gateway-ready.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=yi2bQP5Q3QRPQ3t1&q=85&s=292b7db7ffddbcb11be3312dda097997" alt="Claude Desktop is open through the BetterToken Gateway and ready to use." style={{ borderRadius: '0.5rem' }} width="3840" height="2100" data-path="images/claude-desktop-llmeasy-api/gateway-ready.png" />
</Frame>

## Switch models

Open the model selector and choose another Claude model returned by the Gateway. If the model is missing, reopen **Configure Third-Party Inference...**, click **Apply locally**, and restart Claude Desktop.

## Common errors

| Problem                      | Fix                                                                                       |
| ---------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Gateway cannot connect       | Use exactly `https://www.bettertoken.ai` for **Gateway base URL**. Do not append `/v1`.   |
| Request returns `401`        | Copy the BetterToken API Key again and confirm that the auth scheme is `x-api-key`.       |
| No Claude models appear      | Confirm that the API Key can use Claude provider models, then reopen the settings window. |
| Configuration is not applied | Quit Claude Desktop completely, reopen it, and choose **Continue with Gateway**.          |

## Advanced setup

To use GPT, Kimi, GLM, or another non-Claude provider in Claude Desktop, follow the [Claude Desktop tab in CC Switch](/en/ai-tools/cc-switch#claude-desktop). CC Switch handles the API Format, model mapping, proxy, and restart flow.

### Supported providers

| Provider | Status         |
| -------- | -------------- |
| Claude   | Manual setup   |
| GPT      | Advanced setup |
| Kimi     | Advanced setup |
| GLM      | Advanced setup |

<Note>Statuses apply to the BetterToken setup documented on this page.</Note>

<Accordion title="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.
</Accordion>

### Related guides

* [Use third-party models in Claude Desktop](/en/faq/claude-desktop/third-party-models)
* [Configure BetterToken in CC Switch](/en/ai-tools/cc-switch)
* [Configure a custom provider in Codex CLI](/en/ai-tools/codex)
* [Download the latest CC Switch release](https://github.com/farion1231/cc-switch/releases)

## Technical details

<Accordion title="Gateway endpoint and authentication">
  Use the Anthropic-compatible `https://www.bettertoken.ai` as **Gateway base URL** without `/v1`. Select `x-api-key` as the authentication scheme.
</Accordion>