Where to get an Anthropic API key
Create it in the Claude Console, Anthropic’s developer platform—not in the Claude chat app. Sign in to the Console and open its API keys page. From there, create a key for your API access. (platform.claude.com)
Create and keep your key
- Sign in to the Claude Console and open API keys.
- Select Create key, name the key, and choose its expiration and account. You can also scope it to a workspace.
- Copy the full key when it appears and store it somewhere secure, such as a secrets manager. Anthropic says the full value is shown only once at creation; if you lose it, you’ll need to create a new key rather than retrieve that secret later. (
platform.claude.com)
Treat the key like a password: don’t publish it, put it in client-side code, or commit it to source control. For an application, keep it in a secure server-side configuration or secrets manager. Anthropic’s authentication guide explains how to use a key with its SDKs and direct API requests. (platform.claude.com)
Check API billing before making a request
A Claude chat subscription and Claude Console API access are separate products. A paid Claude plan does not automatically mean API requests are billed through that plan; some eligible plans include API credits, subject to their terms. (support.claude.com)
For most Console organizations, API usage is paid for with prepaid credits; organizations with an invoicing arrangement are billed monthly instead. Check the Console’s billing page for your organization’s setup and balance. There is no universal credit amount stated here because the applicable billing arrangement and eligibility can vary. (support.claude.com)
Make your first API call
Once you have a key and the appropriate API access and billing setup, follow Anthropic’s official authentication and API documentation for the supported SDK or request method. Avoid pasting your secret key into third-party key-testing websites; use Anthropic’s documentation and your own application environment instead. (platform.claude.com)
Sources
Get your Claude API key — Claude Platform Docs
Authentication — Claude Platform Docs
Why is Claude API usage billed separately from my paid Claude plan? — Claude Help Center
How do I pay for my Claude API usage? — Claude Help Center
Monthly API credits for Max, Ultra, and Team plans — Claude Help Center
