How to Run Claude Code Free in Your Terminal via OpenRouter API

Developers can use Anthropic's Claude Code coding assistant for free by routing it through OpenRouter instead of a paid Claude Pro subscription. The setup involves installing the Claude Code npm package globally and obtaining a free API key from OpenRouter. Users then configure a few environment variables in their shell profile to redirect Claude Code's requests to OpenRouter's endpoint. Once set up, the assistant runs directly in the terminal using freely available AI models. The method is particularly useful for freelance developers working on tasks like React, Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and API integrations.
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