Run Claude Code on Chernion.
Claude Code talks to the Anthropic Messages API, and Chernion exposes that surface, so you point it at Chernion with two environment variables. The workflow you know stays the same, and the Claude models cost 30% of Anthropic's official API price.
Install Claude Code and get a key.
You need the Claude Code CLI on your machine, a Chernion key, and a balance to spend.
| 1 | # install the Claude Code CLI |
| 2 | npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code |
- Create a Chernion key in the dashboard. It looks like
sk-chrn-live-…and is shown once. - Top up a prepaid balance with crypto or a card. There is no minimum.
Two variables, then run claude.
Set the Anthropic base URL to the Chernion endpoint and use your Chernion key as the auth token. Pick a model, and optionally a small fast model for background tasks.
| 1 | export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://api.chernion.ai |
| 2 | export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN=sk-chrn-live-… |
| 3 | export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=opus-4.8 |
| 4 | # optional, for its background tasks: |
| 5 | export ANTHROPIC_SMALL_FAST_MODEL=haiku-4.5 |
| 6 | claude |
On Windows use setx instead of export, for example setx ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL https://api.chernion.ai, and so on. Claude Code then runs on Chernion, billed from your balance.
Confirm it is on Chernion.
Open a project, run claude, and ask it to explain a file. You should get a normal reply. Then open the dashboard and watch the balance tick down as you work, which confirms the calls are billing through Chernion rather than Anthropic. If a request returns a 401, recheck the token; if it returns a 402, top up the balance.
The same workflow, billed for less.
- The Claude models at 30% of Anthropic's official API price, billed per token.
- The exact cost of each call comes back from the gateway, so the spend is visible.
- The same prepaid balance covers the API, the hosted chat, and the coding CLI.
- Top the balance up with crypto or a card, with no subscription and no minimum.