Claude Desktop

Also known as: Claude app

Claude Desktop: check the version and support for your own key and custom URLs before setup.

Published instructions · App version: unverified

Chat, ping, invoke and content-generation examples may send real billable requests. Check the model, balance, rate and minimum before running them. GET /v1/models checks authentication and the catalogue only. Set up environment variables safely

Base URL to paste

OpenAI SDKs generally use a URL ending in /v1; Anthropic SDKs use the root URL. Avoid adding /v1 twice. Protocol compatibility does not guarantee every provider feature.

See notes / depends on the protocol

This app has exceptions — read Notes below before pasting.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop is installed
ThAPI key (if your Desktop version has an API / custom endpoint field)
If BYOK is unavailable, use Claude Code with the same key instead

Recommended model: claude-fable-5

Quick way — command / config

1. Open Claude Desktop → Settings
2. Find API key / Custom endpoint / Developer
3. If Base URL + API key fields ARE available:
     Base URL : https://thapi.cloud
     API Key  : sk-thapi-...
     Model    : claude-fable-5 (if selectable)
4. If those fields are NOT available:
     → Install Claude Code + api-cli configure claude
     → Or use AI Studio / Chatbox on ThAPI

Where to place file / fill Settings

Interfacemacos

Claude → Settings

Look for API/custom endpoint settings. If none are available, stop and use Claude Code.

Interfacewindows

Claude Desktop → Settings

Same as macOS. App data is usually under %APPDATA%\Claude — avoid arbitrary edits.

Interfacelinux

Settings trong app

Depends on the packaged version; prefer Claude Code on Linux.

Verify connection

If BYOK is supported: send a message → a new entry should appear in Dashboard Usage.
If BYOK is unavailable: confirm that Claude Code uses your ThAPI wallet instead.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Reason	How to handle
The app only asks for a Claude.ai login	The Desktop version does not support a custom API gateway.	Use Claude Code / OpenClaw / Chatbox with a ThAPI key — this is a fully supported route.
401 after pasting the key	The key is incorrect, or the app is still sending requests to api.anthropic.com.	Confirm that the Base URL points to ThAPI; try the troubleshooting curl command on /docs.

Notes

This guide does not provide instructions for cracking or patching Claude Desktop.
MCP in Desktop (if available) is separate from changing the model gateway.

Claude Code · OpenClaw · Chatbox · API CLI