# Connect Claude Code

> Point Claude Code at Tetrate Agent Router with tare integrate, or configure managed Anthropic billing and Max passthrough manually.

Get Claude Code running through Tetrate Agent Router in a few minutes. Prefer <code>tare integrate</code> to write the config from your logged-in session. Choose managed mode if Agent Router should bill Anthropic traffic, or passthrough mode if you already have a Claude Max (or Pro) subscription and want Anthropic to bill you directly while the gateway routes and observes.

## Step 1: Install Claude Code

Install Claude Code with Anthropic's native installer (the recommended method — auto-updates in the background and does not require Node.js).

**macOS, Linux, WSL:**

```bash
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash
```

**Windows PowerShell:**

```powershell
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex
```

Other supported methods (Homebrew, WinGet, apt/dnf/apk, npm) are documented in the [Claude Code setup guide](https://docs.claude.com/en/docs/claude-code/setup).

## Step 2: Prefer tare integrate (recommended)

The fastest path is [Configure coding tools with the tare CLI](/agent-router-service/guides/coding-agents/configure-tools-with-tare-cli). After `tare api login`, preview then apply:

```bash
tare integrate dataplanes
tare integrate claude-code --dry-run --dataplane <dataplane-id>
tare integrate claude-code --dataplane <dataplane-id> --yes
```

Use `--passthrough` when you want Claude Max (or Pro) billing with Agent Router attribution only:

```bash
tare integrate claude-code --dataplane <dataplane-id> --passthrough --yes
```

The CLI writes `~/.claude/settings.json` (backing up any existing file), sets `0600` permissions, and validates the key against the gateway. `--dataplane` takes the **DATAPLANE** column id from `tare integrate dataplanes`, not the display name.

**Connectors trade-off:** while managed mode sets `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`, Claude Code disables claude.ai connectors, because an explicit API key takes precedence over your claude.ai login. If you use connectors, choose `--passthrough`, or remove the env block from `~/.claude/settings.json` when you need them.

If the CLI path does not fit your environment, use the manual configuration below.

## Step 3: Manual configuration (fallback)

Agent Router supports two auth modes for Claude Code. Pick the one that matches how you want to pay for traffic.

### Option A — Managed mode (Agent Router-managed Anthropic key)

Use this if you don't have a Claude Max subscription, or you want all traffic billed through Agent Router using its managed Anthropic credentials.

**How it works:**

- Agent Router authenticates the request with its managed Anthropic key.
- Cost = base + Agent Router margin.
- Your Agent Router API key goes in `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`.

Add to your shell profile (for example `~/.zshrc` or `~/.bashrc`):

```bash
# Use the proxy host (not a full /v1/messages URL) — Anthropic clients append /v1/messages automatically
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://proxy.internal.tetrate.ai"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-tars-api-key"
```

Replace the base URL with your gateway proxy host from the Console Dashboard if it differs.

While `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` is set, Claude Code disables claude.ai connectors. Use passthrough mode (Option B) if you need connectors.

### Option B — Passthrough mode (your own Claude Max subscription)

Use this if you already have a Claude Max (or Pro) subscription and want Claude Code to bill against it. Agent Router routes the request and observes it, but your Anthropic OAuth token passes through untouched — Anthropic authenticates you the same as a direct connection.

**How it works:**

- Do not set `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` — Claude Code's stored OAuth token is what authenticates with Anthropic.
- `x-tars-api-key` authenticates you with Agent Router for routing and observability.
- Cost = your Claude Max plan, with no Agent Router margin on tokens. Passthrough requests are labeled `passthrough` in the Request Logs.

First, log in to your Anthropic account once via Claude Code's normal flow so it stores the OAuth token locally:

```bash
claude /login
```

Then add to your shell profile:

```bash
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://proxy.internal.tetrate.ai"
export ANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_HEADERS="x-tars-api-key: your-tars-api-key"
```

Replace the base URL with your gateway proxy host from the Console Dashboard if it differs.

## Step 4: Start your session

Navigate to your project directory and launch Claude Code:

```bash
cd your-project
claude
```

## Step 5: Verify

Run the `/status` command inside your Claude Code session and confirm the base URL points to the gateway:

```text
> /status
Anthropic base URL: https://proxy.internal.tetrate.ai
```

You can also check the [Request Logs](/agent-router-service/guides/monitor-traffic-and-usage) to see your requests.

## Troubleshooting

| Issue | What to check |
|---|---|
| API key issues | In managed mode, ensure `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` is set to your Agent Router API key. In passthrough mode, ensure `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` is unset and `ANTHROPIC_CUSTOM_HEADERS` (or the CLI-written settings) carries `x-tars-api-key`. |
| Connection errors | Verify that `ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL` points to the correct gateway URL (no trailing `/v1/messages` — Claude Code appends that automatically). |
| Passthrough returns 401 from Anthropic | Your Claude Max OAuth token is missing or expired. Re-run `claude /login` and try again. |
| claude.ai connectors unavailable | Managed mode's `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` disables connectors. Use `--passthrough` with `tare integrate`, or unset the API key / remove the env block from `~/.claude/settings.json`. |
| Permission denied | Claude Code needs read/write access to your project files. |
| Context limits | For very large repos, use `.claudeignore` to exclude irrelevant directories. |

Where to go next

  <Link to="/agent-router-service/guides/coding-agents/configure-tools-with-tare-cli" className="tare-nav-card">
    Configure coding tools with the tare CLI
    Automate setup for Claude Code and other supported tools, including dry-run and key rotation.
  </Link>
  <Link to="/agent-router-service/guides/coding-agents/claude-code/project-context" className="tare-nav-card">
    Project context (CLAUDE.md)
    Teach Claude Code Agent Router API patterns so generated app code targets the gateway.
  </Link>