🚀 Free Claude Code – Complete Setup Guide

Learn how to use Claude Code without paying for an Anthropic API key by setting up a proxy server. This guide walks you through installation, configuration, and usage.

1️⃣ What Problem Does It Solve?

Claude Code normally requires an Anthropic API key. This project acts as a proxy server that routes requests to alternative providers like NVIDIA NIM, OpenRouter, or local models via LM Studio.

2️⃣ Project Overview

• Works with Claude Code CLI
• Supports VSCode extension
• Supports NVIDIA NIM (free tier)
• Supports OpenRouter (multiple models)
• Supports LM Studio (local offline models)

3️⃣ Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/Alishahryar1/free-claude-code.git
cd free-claude-code
cp .env.example .env

4️⃣ Configure Environment Variables

Using NVIDIA NIM

NVIDIA_NIM_API_KEY=nvapi-your-key
MODEL=nvidia_nim/your-model-name

Using OpenRouter

OPENROUTER_API_KEY=sk-your-key
MODEL=open_router/your-model-name:free

Using LM Studio (Local)

MODEL=lmstudio/your-local-model

🔄 Changing the Model Easily

Instead of manually editing the .env file every time, you can use the built-in model picker script.

./claude-pick

This interactive command allows you to:

• Select provider (NVIDIA NIM, OpenRouter, LM Studio)
• Choose from available models
• Automatically update the .env configuration

After selecting a model, restart your proxy server for changes to apply.

🟢 Creating NVIDIA Account & Getting API Key

To use NVIDIA NIM models, you need an NVIDIA API key. You can register using your organization email or university (.edu) email.

Step 1: Create Account

Go to: https://build.nvidia.com/ and click Sign Up.

Step 2: Verify Email

Confirm your email address from the verification link.

Step 3: Generate API Key

• Login to your dashboard
• Go to API Keys section
• Click Create API Key
• Copy the key starting with nvapi-

Step 4: Add to .env File

NVIDIA_NIM_API_KEY=nvapi-your-generated-key
MODEL=nvidia_nim/your-selected-model

5️⃣ Run the Proxy Server

uv run uvicorn server:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8082

6️⃣ VSCode Setup

Open VSCode settings JSON and add:

{
  "claude-code.environmentVariables": [
    { "name": "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL", "value": "http://localhost:8082" },
    { "name": "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN", "value": "freecc" }
  ]
}

7️⃣ How It Works Internally

Claude Code CLI / VSCode
        ↓
Free Claude Code Proxy
        ↓
Provider (NIM / OpenRouter / LM Studio)

8️⃣ Benefits

• No Anthropic API key required
• Free API tiers supported
• Local offline models supported
• Works with CLI & VSCode

9️⃣ Limitations

• Performance depends on chosen model
• Community-maintained (not official)
• Setup required for local models

🏁 Conclusion

Free Claude Code is a powerful solution for developers who want to experiment with AI coding assistants without API costs. With support for multiple providers and local models, it opens up flexible workflows for modern development.