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Using an API Relay in Claude Desktop

Configure a third-party inference endpoint through developer mode.

2 min read

The Claude Desktop client offers a developer mode that lets you configure a third-party inference endpoint, so you can connect to an API relay that is compatible with the Anthropic API.

What You'll Need

Get the following information from the API platform you use:

  • API base URL: the root endpoint address the platform gives you
  • API key: the token used for authentication
  • Model name: the model identifier the platform supports and that you plan to use

Configuration Steps

  1. Open Claude Desktop and enable "Developer Mode" in Settings.
  2. Once enabled, a "Developer" entry appears in the top menu; open it and choose "Configure Third-Party Inference".
  3. Enter the API base URL and API key provided by the platform.
  4. Add the model you want to use (enter the model name) and click "Apply".
  5. After you apply the settings, Claude Desktop restarts automatically; once it reopens, select the model you just added from the model dropdown.

Notes

  • The client is only the interface — what you actually get depends on the model running on the backend of the platform you connect to.
  • Menu wording and the location of this entry point may differ slightly between versions, so go by what the app actually shows.

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