claude-max-proxy-setup

# Claude Max API Proxy Setup ## Overview Replace per-token Claude API billing ($15-75/M tokens) with a flat-rate proxy through your Claude Max ($200/mo) or Pro ($20/mo) subscription. The [`claude-max-api-proxy`](https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy) package exposes your authenticated Claude Code CLI session as an OpenAI-compatible HTTP endpoint on `localhost:3456`. **How it works:** The proxy uses your already-authenticated `claude` CLI session to forward requests. No API keys are stored or transmitted by the proxy — it relies on your local CLI login. Any OpenAI-compatible client (OpenClaw, LangChain, custom scripts) connects to `localhost:3456`. **Source code:** [github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy](https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy) — review the source before installing. ## When to Use - Agent API costs exceed $20/month and you have a Claude Max or Pro subscription - You want to run Claude Opus 4.6, Sonnet 4.6, or Haiku 4.5 without per-token charges - You're configuring OpenClaw, LangChain, or any OpenAI-compatible client to use Claude **Do not use when:** - You don't have a Claude Max or Pro subscription (get one first at claude.ai) - You need concurrent request throughput >5 (Max plan has rate limits) - You're on a shared server where others could access port 3456 ## Security Notes - The proxy binds to **localhost only** by default — it is not accessible from other machines - It uses your authenticated `claude` CLI session, meaning anyone with access to port 3456 on your machine can make requests against your subscription - **Never expose port 3456 to the public internet** — use firewall rules to restrict access - Review the [package source](https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy) before installing ## Setup Process ### 1. Prerequisites Check ```bash # Verify Node.js 20+ node --version # Verify Claude Code CLI is installed and authenticated claude --version claude --print "test" # Should return a response without errors ``` If `claude` is not authenticated, run `claude login` and complete the browser flow. ### 2. Install and Start ```bash # Review the package source first: https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy npm install -g claude-max-api-proxy claude-max-api # Starts on localhost:3456 by default # Verify: curl http://localhost:3456/health # => {"status":"ok","provider":"claude-code-cli",...} ``` ### 3. Configure Your Client For OpenClaw (`~/.openclaw/openclaw.json`): ```json { "env": { "OPENAI_API_KEY": "not-needed", "OPENAI_BASE_URL": "http://localhost:3456/v1" }, "models": { "providers": { "openai": { "baseUrl": "http://localhost:3456/v1", "apiKey": "not-needed", "models": [ { "id": "claude-opus-4", "name": "Claude Opus 4.6 (Max)", "contextWindow": 200000, "maxTokens": 16384 }, { "id": "claude-sonnet-4", "name": "Claude Sonnet 4.6 (Max)", "contextWindow": 200000, "maxTokens": 16384 }, { "id": "claude-haiku-4", "name": "Claude Haiku 4.5 (Max)", "contextWindow": 200000, "maxTokens": 8192 } ] } } } } ``` For any OpenAI-compatible client: - Base URL: `http://localhost:3456/v1` - API key: any non-empty string (proxy ignores it) - Model IDs: `claude-opus-4`, `claude-sonnet-4`, `claude-haiku-4` ### 4. Run as Persistent Service (Optional) ```bash # Create systemd user service # Adjust paths below to match your system — find yours with: # which claude-max-api # echo $HOME mkdir -p ~/.config/systemd/user cat > ~/.config/systemd/user/claude-max-api-proxy.service << EOF [Unit] Description=Claude Max API Proxy After=network.target [Service] Type=simple ExecStart=$(which claude-max-api) Environment=HOME=$HOME Environment=PATH=$HOME/.npm-global/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin Restart=on-failure RestartSec=5 [Install] WantedBy=default.target EOF systemctl --user daemon-reload systemctl --user enable claude-max-api-proxy systemctl --user start claude-max-api-proxy ``` ### 5. Verify ```bash curl http://localhost:3456/v1/chat/completions \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"model":"claude-opus-4","messages":[{"role":"user","content":"Say: proxy working"}]}' ``` ## Model ID Reference | Proxy Model ID | CLI Alias | Best For | |---------------|-----------|----------| | `claude-opus-4` | opus | Complex reasoning, research, long-form | | `claude-sonnet-4` | sonnet | Fast + capable, most tasks | | `claude-haiku-4` | haiku | Simple tasks, high speed | ## Common Mistakes | Mistake | Fix | |---------|-----| | `claude: command not found` | `npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code` | | Proxy returns auth errors | Run `claude login` and complete browser auth | | Rate limit errors with Max plan | Add `"maxConcurrency": 1` to agent config; Max has limits | | Config not taking effect | Restart your agent/client after changing config | | Proxy dies on reboot | Set up systemd service (Step 4 above) | ## Cost Comparison | Setup | Monthly Cost | |-------|-------------| | Claude Opus 4.6 API (active agent) | $200-500+ | | Claude Max + this proxy | $200 flat | | Claude Pro + this proxy | $20 flat (lower rate limits) | ## Need Help? - **Source & issues:** [github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy](https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy) - **Hire Mr. Clawford** — 0.008 ETH via Moltlaunch (`mltl hire --agent 18890`) - **DM @mr_clawford** on [MoltX](https://social.moltx.io/mr_clawford) - **Website:** [deepbluebase.xyz](https://deepbluebase.xyz)