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claude-max-api-proxy is a community tool that exposes your Claude Max/Pro subscription as an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint. This allows you to use your subscription with any tool that supports the OpenAI API format.
This path is technical compatibility only. Anthropic has blocked some subscription usage outside Claude Code in the past. You must decide for yourself whether to use it and verify Anthropic’s current billing rules before relying on it.Anthropic’s current support docs say claude -p is Agent SDK/programmatic usage. Starting June 15, 2026, subscription-plan claude -p usage draws from a separate monthly Agent SDK credit first, then from usage credits at standard API rates if usage credits are enabled.

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Why use this?

ApproachCost routeBest for
Anthropic APIPay per token through Claude Console or cloudProduction apps, shared automation, volume
Claude subscription proxyClaude Code / claude -p plan and credit rulesPersonal experiments with compatible tools
If you have a Claude Max or Pro subscription and want to use it with OpenAI-compatible tools, this proxy may fit some personal workflows. It is not an unlimited flat-rate path. API keys remain the clearer policy and billing path for production use.

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How it works

Your App → claude-max-api-proxy → Claude Code CLI / claude -p → Anthropic
     (OpenAI format)              (converts format)          (uses your login)
The proxy:
  1. Accepts OpenAI-format requests at http://localhost:3456/v1/chat/completions
  2. Converts them to Claude Code CLI commands
  3. Returns responses in OpenAI format (streaming supported)

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Getting started

1

Install the proxy

Requires Node.js 20+ and Claude Code CLI.
npm install -g claude-max-api-proxy

# Verify Claude CLI is authenticated
claude --version
2

Start the server

claude-max-api
# Server runs at http://localhost:3456
3

Test the proxy

# Health check
curl http://localhost:3456/health

# List models
curl http://localhost:3456/v1/models

# Chat completion
curl http://localhost:3456/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "claude-opus-4",
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
  }'
4

Configure OpenClaw

Point OpenClaw at the proxy as a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint:
{
  env: {
    OPENAI_API_KEY: "not-needed",
    OPENAI_BASE_URL: "http://localhost:3456/v1",
  },
  agents: {
    defaults: {
      model: { primary: "openai/claude-opus-4" },
    },
  },
}

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Built-in catalog

Model IDMaps To
claude-opus-4Claude Opus 4
claude-sonnet-4Claude Sonnet 4
claude-haiku-4Claude Haiku 4

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Advanced configuration

This path uses the same proxy-style OpenAI-compatible route as other custom /v1 backends:
  • Native OpenAI-only request shaping does not apply
  • No service_tier, no Responses store, no prompt-cache hints, and no OpenAI reasoning-compat payload shaping
  • Hidden OpenClaw attribution headers (originator, version, User-Agent) are not injected on the proxy URL
Create a LaunchAgent to run the proxy automatically:
cat > ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude-max-api.plist << 'EOF'
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
  <key>Label</key>
  <string>com.claude-max-api</string>
  <key>RunAtLoad</key>
  <true/>
  <key>KeepAlive</key>
  <true/>
  <key>ProgramArguments</key>
  <array>
    <string>/usr/local/bin/node</string>
    <string>/usr/local/lib/node_modules/claude-max-api-proxy/dist/server/standalone.js</string>
  </array>
  <key>EnvironmentVariables</key>
  <dict>
    <key>PATH</key>
    <string>/usr/local/bin:/opt/homebrew/bin:~/.local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin</string>
  </dict>
</dict>
</plist>
EOF

launchctl bootstrap gui/$(id -u) ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude-max-api.plist

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Notes

  • This is a community tool, not officially supported by Anthropic or OpenClaw
  • Requires an active Claude Max/Pro subscription with Claude Code CLI authenticated
  • Inherits Claude Code claude -p billing, usage-credit, and rate-limit behavior
  • The proxy runs locally and does not send data to any third-party servers
  • Streaming responses are fully supported
For native Anthropic integration with Claude CLI or API keys, see Anthropic provider. For OpenAI/Codex subscriptions, see OpenAI provider.

Anthropic provider

Native OpenClaw integration with Claude CLI or API keys.

OpenAI provider

For OpenAI/Codex subscriptions.

Model selection

Overview of all providers, model refs, and failover behavior.

Configuration

Full config reference.