How to use the AshnaAI API in Claude Code

What you will set up

Claude Code is an Anthropic Messages client. You will create one key, export two environment variables, pick a model id, then run a turn. Official settings: Claude Code settings. Cursor and VS Code use a different protocol: How to use the AshnaAI API in Cursor.

Step 1: Create an AshnaAI API key

Do this once. Claude Code sends the secret on every request.

1. Open Account → API.
2. Choose Create key and name it Claude Code.
3. Copy the secret immediately. It is shown once.
4. Keep it out of git, a gist, and a recorded screen.

Step 2: Export the Claude Code variables

Set both values in the same shell that will launch Claude Code.

1. Export the base URL exactly as: ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://api.ashna.ai/v1/api
2. Export the key: ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=<the secret from Step 1>.
3. If your wrapper reads ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN instead, set that name to the same secret.
4. Confirm the URL includes /v1/api. A host-only value is the usual 404.

Step 3: Pick a model id

Use an alias or a catalog id. You do not change the URL.

1. For Claude-style routing, set the model to sonnet, opus, or haiku.
2. For a catalog model, set it to glm-5.3-flash or another listed id.
3. To confirm ids, GET https://api.ashna.ai/v1/api/models with the same key.

Step 4: Run a Claude Code turn

Start the CLI from the shell that has the two variables.

1. Launch Claude Code in that terminal.
2. Send one prompt. The client posts to /v1/messages.
3. If the turn fails with 401, the key is missing or truncated. Repeat Step 1.
4. If the turn fails with 404, the base URL dropped /v1/api. Repeat Step 2.

Fields that have to match

Paste these values. A typo on the base URL is the usual failure.

Try it now

HTTP notes: AshnaAI API docs and chat completions.

1. Create a key in Account → API.
2. Export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ANTHROPIC_API_KEY.
3. Run one Claude Code turn against /v1/messages.