Claude Complete Guide 2026: Download, Deploy, API Key, Proxy Setup | TeamoRouter

Quick Answer

Claude is Anthropic's family of large language models, available through multiple products in 2026: Claude Web (browser chat), Claude API (programmatic access), Claude Code (agentic CLI for software development), and Claude Desktop (native app). This complete guide covers how to get started with each product, set up your API key, configure proxy access for users in China, understand pricing, and use TeamoRouter as a unified gateway that gives you one-key access to all Claude models plus GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and more.

What Is Claude? An Overview for 2026

Claude, developed by Anthropic, has grown from a single chat model into a full product ecosystem. As of 2026, the Claude family includes:

• Claude Opus 4 -- Anthropic's most capable model for complex analysis, research, and multi-step reasoning.
• Claude Sonnet 4 -- The default workhorse, balancing speed, intelligence, and cost. This is the model most developers use daily.
• Claude Haiku 3.5 -- The fastest and most affordable model, ideal for classification, moderation, and high-throughput tasks.
• Claude Fable 5 -- A specialized model launched in 2026 with enhanced reasoning capabilities, positioned between Sonnet and Opus.

Each model is accessible through multiple surfaces, which is where things get interesting. Let us walk through each one.

Claude Web: The Browser Experience

Claude Web is the simplest way to use Claude. You open a browser, log in, and start chatting. No setup, no API keys, no configuration.

What You Get

• Access to Claude Sonnet 4 (free tier) and Claude Opus 4 (Pro/Team/Enterprise plans)
• File uploads (PDFs, images, code files, spreadsheets)
• Project-based organization with custom instructions
• Artifacts for rendered HTML, SVG, and React components
• Shared conversations via links

Getting Started

1. Go to claude.ai and create an account.
2. Choose a plan: Free (limited Sonnet access), Pro ($20/month), Team ($25/user/month), or Enterprise (custom pricing).
3. Start a conversation.

Claude Web is ideal for research, writing, data analysis, and one-off coding questions. It is not designed for automated workflows or production applications. For that, you need the API.

Claude API: Programmatic Access

The Claude API gives you programmatic access to every Claude model. You send requests via HTTP and receive responses in JSON. This is the foundation for building AI-powered applications, automating workflows, and integrating Claude into your own tools.

Getting an API Key

There are two main paths to getting a Claude API key in 2026:

Path 1: Direct from Anthropic (requires overseas payment)

1. Go to console.anthropic.com.
2. Create an account and verify your phone number.
3. Navigate to API Keys and generate a new key.
4. Add a payment method (international credit card required; many China-issued cards are not accepted).
5. Top up your account balance.

Path 2: Via TeamoRouter (no overseas payment needed)

1. Sign up at TeamoRouter.
2. Generate your API Key from the dashboard.
3. Top up using Alipay, WeChat Pay, or bank transfer.
4. Start calling Claude models immediately through TeamoRouter's Anthropic-compatible endpoint.

The TeamoRouter path is significantly easier for users in China. It eliminates the need for an international credit card, handles currency conversion, and gives you access to Claude through a single unified key. For a detailed walkthrough, see our Claude API Key configuration tutorial.

Your First API Call

Once you have an API key, here is a minimal example in Python:

import anthropic

client = anthropic.Anthropic(
    api_key="your-api-key-here",
)

message = client.messages.create(
    model="claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
    max_tokens=1024,
    messages=[
        {"role": "user", "content": "Explain quantum computing in one paragraph."}
    ],
)

print(message.content[0].text)

For Node.js:

import Anthropic from '@anthropic-ai/sdk';

const client = new Anthropic({ apiKey: 'your-api-key-here' });

const message = await client.messages.create({
  model: 'claude-sonnet-4-20250514',
  max_tokens: 1024,
  messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Explain quantum computing in one paragraph.' }],
});

console.log(message.content[0].text);

If you are using TeamoRouter as your gateway, change the base_url to your TeamoRouter endpoint and use your TeamoRouter API key. This gives you access to Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and more through a single key. See TeamoRouter's AI API gateway for the full model catalog and setup instructions.

Key API Features in 2026

Claude Code: The Agentic CLI for Developers

Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool, launched in early 2025 and now a mature product in 2026. It runs in your terminal, reads your entire codebase, edits files, runs commands, and manages git operations, all under your supervision.

Installation

# Install globally via npm
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Or run directly with npx (no install)
npx @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Setting Up Claude Code with Your API Key

Claude Code reads your API key from environment variables. Using TeamoRouter gives you a single key for all tools:

# Direct Anthropic setup
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-..."

# TeamoRouter unified setup (also works for Codex, GPT CLI, etc.)
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api.teamorouter.com/anthropic"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="tr-your-key-here"

Claude Code is the go-to tool for developers who want an AI pair programmer that works inside their terminal with full project context. It is especially popular for large refactors, bug fixes, test generation, and code review.

Claude Desktop: Native App Experience

Claude Desktop is the native desktop application for macOS and Windows. It provides the same chat experience as Claude Web but with a dedicated app window, system notifications, and offline drafts.

• Download: Available from claude.ai/download or through the Mac App Store.
• Key difference from Web: Native notifications, better keyboard shortcuts, and MCP server support for connecting to local tools and data sources.

Claude Pricing Overview (2026)

Understanding Claude pricing helps you choose the right access path. Here is an overview as of 2026:

Cost-saving tip: TeamoRouter offers floating rates as low as 10-20% of official API pricing with >99% prompt cache hit rate, meaning your real cost can be dramatically lower than paying list price directly. A cached read request costs only 10% of the full price, and TeamoRouter's upstream optimizations ensure your cache stays hot.

Claude Proxy Setup for Users in China

Claude's official API endpoint (api.anthropic.com) and web interface (claude.ai) may be slow or intermittently unreachable from mainland China. A proxy or relay setup is essential for reliable access. There are three common approaches:

Approach 1: VPN

A traditional VPN routes all your traffic through an overseas server. This works for Claude Web and API access but adds latency, may conflict with corporate VPNs, and can be unreliable during peak hours.

Approach 2: Relay Station (中转站)

A relay station is a third-party service that forwards your API requests to Anthropic on your behalf. You point your API client at the relay station's URL, and it proxies the request. This is simpler than a VPN but has a major hidden risk: many relay stations use account pools that rotate behind the scenes, which effectively breaks prompt caching. Since Claude Code and other agent tools resend long contexts on every turn, a broken cache can 10x your token consumption and make your actual bill higher than paying official pricing.

Approach 3: Direct Gateway (TeamoRouter -- Recommended)

TeamoRouter is a unified LLM gateway that connects directly to premium upstream channels with end-to-end cache preservation. It is not a relay station; it is a direct gateway optimized for agent workloads. Key advantages:

• No VPN required: TeamoRouter endpoints are accessible from mainland China without a VPN.
• Cache integrity: >99% cache hit rate maintained through low-level upstream optimizations.
• One key, all models: Access Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, and more with a single API Key.
• Floating rates: Real-time pricing as low as 10-20% of official list price.
• Enterprise SLA: 99.6% uptime, up to 5,000 QPM, tens of millions of TPM.

For a detailed setup guide, see Claude Proxy Setup for China Users.

Comparing Claude Access Methods

Using Claude with Other AI Tools

One of the biggest trends in 2026 is using multiple AI tools side by side. Claude Code for deep reasoning, Codex for PR reviews, and ChatGPT for quick questions. A unified gateway like TeamoRouter makes this practical by giving you one API Key that works across all tools.

• Claude Code + Codex: Use the same TeamoRouter key for both. See our Claude Code to Codex migration guide.
• Claude + GPT + Gemini: Access all three through TeamoRouter's AI API gateway with one account.
• CC Switch integration: Manage Claude Code, Codex, and Gemini CLI from one desktop control panel, all routed through TeamoRouter.

Getting Started Checklist

• Decide which Claude product fits your needs (Web, API, CLI, or Desktop).
• If using the API, choose your access path: direct Anthropic (international card required) or TeamoRouter (Alipay/WeChat, no VPN).
• Generate your API Key and store it securely (environment variable or secrets manager).
• For China-based users: configure your proxy or gateway. TeamoRouter provides direct access with no VPN.
• Install Claude Code if you plan to use Claude for software development.
• Set up prompt caching if doing agentic work to control costs.
• Run a test request and verify billing appears correctly on your dashboard.

FAQ

What is the difference between Claude Web and Claude API?

Claude Web is the browser-based chat application at claude.ai. It requires no setup and is designed for interactive conversations. Claude API is the programmatic interface that lets you integrate Claude into your own applications, tools, and automated workflows. The API gives you access to all models, fine-grained control over parameters, and features like prompt caching and batch processing.

How do I get a Claude API key from China?

The easiest way is through a unified gateway like TeamoRouter. Create an account at teamorouter.com, top up via Alipay or WeChat Pay, generate an API Key, and start calling Claude models immediately. The direct Anthropic path requires an international credit card and a VPN or proxy for reliable access, which adds friction.

Is Claude Code free?

Claude Code itself is free and open source. However, it requires an API key to function, and API usage is billed per token. Using a gateway like TeamoRouter that offers floating rates at 10-20% of official pricing can significantly reduce your costs compared to paying Anthropic directly.

Which Claude model should I use?

For most daily tasks, Claude Sonnet 4 offers the best balance of intelligence and cost. Use Claude Opus 4 for complex research, analysis, or tasks requiring deep reasoning. Use Claude Haiku 3.5 for high-throughput, cost-sensitive tasks like classification and moderation. Claude Fable 5 is the new mid-tier option with enhanced reasoning, positioned between Sonnet and Opus.

Can I use Claude in China without a VPN?

Yes, through a direct gateway like TeamoRouter. Unlike relay stations, TeamoRouter provides direct API access that is reachable from mainland China without a VPN, while maintaining full prompt caching integrity. This means you get reliable access at a fraction of the official price, with no VPN required.

Does Claude support Chinese language?

Yes. Claude has strong Chinese language capabilities across all models. It can read, write, translate, and analyze Chinese text with high proficiency. This applies to both the Web interface and API access.

How do I keep my Claude API key secure?

Store your API key in environment variables rather than hardcoding it in source files. Use a .env file (and add it to .gitignore). Consider using a secrets manager for production applications. TeamoRouter's dashboard lets you create, rotate, and revoke keys, and set per-key spending limits for additional security.