Install Claude Code Using OpenRouter (Free)

Open your Terminal (Mac/Linux) or Command Prompt (Windows) and run:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

This installs Claude Code globally on your system. Wait for it to finish (usually 1–2 minutes).

Verify the installation:

claude --version

Go to openrouter.ai and click Sign Up.

1. Enter your email address
2. Verify your email
3. Log in to your dashboard

OpenRouter gives you free credits to start with, and many models are permanently free (marked with a 🆓 badge on their website).

In your OpenRouter dashboard:

1. Click Keys in the left sidebar
2. Click Create Key
3. Give it a name like claude-code
4. Click Create
5. Copy the key immediately — you won't see it again!

Your key will look like: sk-or-v1-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Now connect Claude Code to OpenRouter. Run this command (replace the key with your own):

export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-or-v1-your-key-here

Windows Command Prompt:

set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://openrouter.ai/api/v1
set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-or-v1-your-key-here

To make this permanent, add these lines to your ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or Windows Environment Variables.

Claude Code needs to know which model to use. Start Claude Code and select a free model:

claude

When prompted, enter a free model from OpenRouter such as:

• meta-llama/llama-3.1-8b-instruct:free
• qwen/qwen-2-7b-instruct:free
• mistralai/mistral-7b-instruct:free

Or set it via environment variable:

export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=meta-llama/llama-3.1-8b-instruct:free

Navigate to any project folder and start Claude Code:

cd my-project
claude

Try asking it something simple:

• "What files are in this project?"
• "Explain what this code does"
• "Fix any bugs you find"

If you see a response from the AI, you're all set! 🎉

or visit: https://growths.dev/guides/installing-claude-for-free

Error: command not found: claude

Node.js global bin folder is not in your PATH. Run:

export PATH="$(npm root -g)/../.bin:$PATH"

Error: 401 Unauthorized

Your API key is wrong or expired. Double-check it in the OpenRouter dashboard.

Error: model not found

The model name is incorrect. Check openrouter.ai/models for exact IDs.

Slow responses?

Free-tier models can be slower during peak hours. Try a different free model or wait a few minutes.