Claude Code Free — Use Claude Code Without Paying $200/month
Get Claude Code access for free with a Starter pack API key. No Anthropic Max subscription required. Works with Opus 4.6, Sonnet 4.6, and Haiku 4.5.
Can You Use Claude Code for Free?
Yes. You can use Claude Code without paying the $200/month Anthropic Max subscription. ClaudeStore provides API keys with a Starter pack that works directly with Claude Code CLI. Point Claude Code at your API key, and you get access to Opus 4.6, Sonnet 4.6, and Haiku 4.5 — without any waitlist, credit card, or regional restrictions.
How to Set Up Claude Code with Free API Key
Follow these steps to start using Claude Code for free:
- Get a Starter pack API key — Visit ClaudeStore Plans and sign up for the Starter pack.
- Install Claude Code — Run
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codein your terminal. - Configure the API endpoint — Set the base URL to ClaudeStore's gateway.
- Start coding — Launch
claudein any project directory.
# Install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# Set your ClaudeStore v2 API key (sk-cs2-*)
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api2.claudestore.store"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="YOUR_SK_CS2_KEY"
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="claude-sonnet-4.6"
export ANTHROPIC_SMALL_FAST_MODEL="claude-haiku-4.5"
# Launch Claude Code
claudeClaude Code Free: ClaudeStore vs Alternatives
| Feature | ClaudeStore Starter pack | Anthropic Max ($200/mo) | OpenRouter Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Starter pack, then pay-per-use | $200/month flat | Limited free models |
| Models | Opus 4.6, Sonnet 4.6, Haiku 4.5 | Same models | Varies |
| Claude Code support | ✅ Full support | ✅ Full support | ⚠️ Requires proxy |
| Waitlist | None | None | None |
| Regional restrictions | None — works worldwide | US/EU/UK only | None |
| Credit card required | No | Yes | No |
Which Model to Use in Claude Code
- Opus 4.6 — Best for complex refactoring, multi-file changes, and architecture decisions. Most capable but costs more per token.
- Sonnet 4.6 — Best balance of speed and quality. Recommended for daily coding tasks.
- Haiku 4.5 — Fastest and cheapest. Great for quick edits, test generation, and simple tasks.
# Use Sonnet 4.6 (default, recommended)
claude --model claude-sonnet-4.6
# Use Opus for complex tasks
claude --model claude-opus-4.6
# Use Haiku for quick edits
claude --model claude-haiku-4.5Frequently Asked Questions
Is Claude Code really free?
ClaudeStore offers a Starter pack with real API credits. After the trial, you pay only for tokens used — no subscription fee. Most developers spend $5–20/month on casual usage.
Do I need an Anthropic account?
No. ClaudeStore provides its own API keys. You don't need an Anthropic account, waitlist approval, or credit card to start.
Does it work with VS Code Claude Code extension?
Yes. Set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://api2.claudestore.store and ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to your sk-cs2-* key. Both the CLI and the VS Code extension pick the same env vars and ~/.claude/settings.json.
Can I use this from Russia, Asia, or other restricted regions?
Yes. ClaudeStore has no regional restrictions. It works from any country worldwide, including Russia, China, Iran, and others where Anthropic's direct API is unavailable.
What's the catch?
No catch. The Starter pack has a usage limit. After that, you add credits and pay per token at competitive rates — often cheaper than Anthropic's direct pricing.