# Get an API key: Anthropic

> Create a key in the Claude Console, top up the balance, and turn on Direct Connection once the key is in the browser.

- Canonical: https://big-agi.com/docs/connect-anthropic
- Minimum tier: open  [Open ⊂ Free ⊂ Pro - a tier only ever ADDS to the Open baseline]
- Kind: provider · Last content update generation: 2026-07-27 · Review by: 2026-10-27
- Answers: Where do I create an Anthropic API key? · How much credit do I have to add before it will answer? · Does Direct Connection work with Anthropic?

An Anthropic key comes from the Claude Console and runs on prepaid credit.

## The Claude Console account

The key belongs to a Claude Console organisation with its own balance. The API balance is separate from any Claude subscription billed to the same address. Top up the balance before the first answer comes back. The organisation also sits on a usage tier carrying [its own monthly spend cap](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/api/rate-limits).

## Creating the key in the Console

```
sk-ant-...   shown once at creation, never recoverable
```

1. Open [platform.claude.com/settings/keys](https://platform.claude.com/settings/keys); the older `console.anthropic.com` redirects there.
2. Press **Create key**. A workspace scope and an expiry are both optional.
3. Take the string now ([the provider's own steps](https://platform.claude.com/docs/en/get-api-key)).

## Pasting it, and what the field accepts

Open **Models** (`Ctrl + Shift + M`) and press **More Services** if the **Setup AI Models** wizard appears. Then **Add** -> **Anthropic**, paste into **Anthropic API Key**, and press **Models** - the list filling in below is your confirmation ([add and manage your keys](/docs/connect-models)).

## Direct Connection

Direct Connection can be turned on once the key is in the browser. Anthropic publishes an opt-in header for browser calls, and Big-AGI sends it. The toggle starts off.

> **Direct Connection works only with your API key stored in the browser**, and with an AI service that permits direct browser calls (CORS). Where it cannot be used, requests route through the Big-AGI fast edge servers instead - everything still works, within the standard upload size and time limits.

## Related

- [Connect an AI service](/docs/connect-models)
- [Direct Connection](/docs/feature-direct-connection)