# Get an API key from Anthropic (Claude)

> Claude API key from Anthropic, step by step: make a Claude Console account, buy credits, create the key, set a spend limit, and connect it to Runner.

Canonical: https://www.runtheworld.ai/guides/claude-api-key

Updated: 2026-10-20

## Make a Claude Console account, and buy credits

Keys for Claude live in the Claude Console, Anthropic's site for building with its models, at platform.claude.com. You pay Anthropic for what the key uses from credits you buy there.

## Create the key, and copy it while Anthropic shows it

A key is made on the API keys page. When you create it you choose who it belongs to and how long it lasts, and both matter for a key a whole team relies on.

## Set your own spend limit at Anthropic

Anthropic's Start, Build and Scale tiers each carry a monthly spend cap. You can set your own limit below it, so spending stops at the amount you chose rather than the tier's.

## Paste the key into Runner, under Settings, then LLM providers

The key belongs to your Runner organization, so every product in it can use the key, and only an owner or admin can connect one. Runner encrypts it before storing it and never shows it again.

A key you connect is used before credits, even on AI included.

## Keep the key secret

Anthropic's rule is the one you use for a password: don't share your API key. Anyone who needs access gets a key of their own.

- Keep it out of emails, chats and support tickets, even ones to Anthropic.
- If you think it has leaked, delete it at once and make a new one.
- Anthropic deactivates a key it finds in a public GitHub repository, and emails you about it.
- Paste it only into Runner's key box, never into a chat, an email or a support ticket.

## Swap the key for a new one, or switch it off

Anthropic suggests rotating keys on a schedule, every 90 days for example: make a new key, move to it, then switch the old one off.

## Rather not make a key at all?

With AI included, your team runs on the AI credits your plan includes, with nothing to set up: no API keys, no vendor accounts, no billing with an AI company.

Every plan comes two ways, AI included or your own key, and you can change your choice later in Settings.