Setup guide

How to get a Claude API key

About five minutes, start to finish. Once your key is in Daedus, every Premium feature unlocks free for 7 days.

⏱ ~5 minutes✉️ An email address💳 A payment card
Your Claude.ai subscription isn't an API key. Claude.ai plans and the Claude API are set up separately, so you'll create a key in the Claude Console below. If you're on a Max or Team plan, Anthropic says your plan includes monthly API credits you can claim by linking a Console organization to it. See Anthropic's help article for how.

  1. Create a Claude Console account

    Go to platform.claude.com and sign up, or sign in if you already have an account.

    Open the Claude Console ↗

  2. Add credits

    The API is prepaid: you buy credits, and each request uses a little of them.

    • Go to Settings → Billing
    • Click Buy credits and choose an amount
    • Optional: turn on Auto-reload so your balance tops up when it runs low

    Tip: start small. Daedus uses Anthropic's fastest, lowest-cost model for everyday requests, so a little goes a long way. Since credits are prepaid, you can't spend more than you've added.

    Open Billing ↗

  3. Create your key

    • Go to Settings → API keys
    • Click Create key
    • Name it something you'll recognize, like Daedus
    • Pick an expiration, then create it
    Open API keys ↗

  4. Copy it right away

    Your key starts with sk-ant-. The Console shows it only once, so copy it before closing the window. If you lose it, no problem: delete it and create a new one.

  5. Paste it into Daedus

    Open Daedus, go to Settings → API key & usage and paste your key. Your 7-day Premium trial starts automatically.

Keep your key private. Anyone with it can use your credits. Don't post it, screenshot it or send it to anyone. If you think it leaked, delete it in Settings → API keys and create a new one.
Troubleshooting

If something doesn't work

Daedus says my key doesn't work

Check that you copied the whole key, starting with sk-ant-, with no spaces at either end. Then check that your Console account has credits. A key with a zero balance won't run any requests.

The "Create key" button is grayed out

Your role in the Console organization may not allow creating keys. If someone else manages your organization, ask them to change your role or create a key for you.

Requests stopped working after a while

Your credits probably ran out. Add more under Settings → Billing, or turn on Auto-reload.

Questions

Good to know

How much will I spend?

It depends on how much you use Daedus. It picks a fast, low-cost model for everyday tasks and only uses stronger ones when a question needs it, so light daily use usually costs very little. Daedus tracks your usage so you can see it.

Why doesn't Daedus just charge a subscription?

With your own key, you pay Anthropic directly for exactly what you use. No monthly fee, no middleman markup.

Can I use Daedus without a key?

Yes. Basic mode works without one. The key is what unlocks the AI features and starts your Premium trial.

That's it. You're set.

Back to the Daedus home page to see everything it can do.

See Daedus