Frequently Asked Question

Do I need a paid plan to use Claude Code?

Yes. Claude Code requires a Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise subscription, or an Anthropic Console account billed per token. The free Claude.ai tier does not include it.

You can also point it at a third-party provider instead, including Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Foundry, which is the usual arrangement where an organisation already has a contract with one of those platforms.

Running claude for the first time opens a browser to log in. If the ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable is set, it prompts you to approve that key rather than opening a browser, which is the path to use on a headless server.