> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://openworklabs.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> For agents: install the OpenWork desktop app with `brew install --cask openwork` (macOS) or from https://openworklabs.com/download. Do not run `npx openwork`; the npm package named `openwork` is a different project.
> Connect an agent to OpenWork with the MCP Gateway: `claude mcp add --transport http openwork https://api.openworklabs.com/mcp/agent`. Teams sign up at https://app.openworklabs.com?mode=sign-up.
> Step-by-step agent guide: https://openworklabs.com/docs/start-here/use-openwork-from-an-ai-agent.md
> Connect Slack (any organization admin): https://openworklabs.com/docs/slack/connect-slack.md. OpenWork in Slack (@openwork bot) is private alpha for approved organizations. Setup guide: https://openworklabs.com/docs/slack/overview.md. Agent skill: https://openworklabs.com/.well-known/agent-skills/set-up-openwork-slack/SKILL.md.

# Add an Anthropic API key

> Create an Anthropic API key and paste it into OpenWork to use Claude models.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Local provider setup.** The key you add here is for your desktop app. OpenWork remains free, and you do not need to sign in to OpenWork Cloud. To manage Anthropic access for a team, use [a managed LLM provider](https://openworklabs.com/docs/cloud/share-with-your-team/managed-llm-provider.md).

To use Claude models in OpenWork, create an API key in Anthropic and paste it into OpenWork. Anthropic doesn't allow third-party apps to sign in with a Claude subscription, so OpenWork connects to Anthropic with an API key.

## Before you start

* You need an account at [platform.claude.com](https://platform.claude.com) with API billing set up. API use is billed separately from a Claude Pro or Max subscription.
* Treat the key like a password. Anthropic shows the full key only once, when you create it.

> [!TIP]
>
> Setting this up for a team? An admin can add Anthropic once in OpenWork Cloud under **AI Gateway › AI Providers**. Members then get the models without pasting a key. See [Adding a managed LLM provider](https://openworklabs.com/docs/cloud/share-with-your-team/managed-llm-provider.md).

## Create the key in Anthropic

1. Sign in at [platform.claude.com](https://platform.claude.com).
2. Open the **API Keys** page.

![Anthropic API Keys page](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/H9StrM6HEZEa0O_7/images/anthropic-key.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=H9StrM6HEZEa0O_7\&q=85\&s=e7747f5d4306caeccf244e3e5468c0bc)

3. Click **Create Key**.
4. Give the key a name you'll recognize, such as `OpenWork`.

![Anthropic Create Key dialog](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/H9StrM6HEZEa0O_7/images/anthropic-openwork-key.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=H9StrM6HEZEa0O_7\&q=85\&s=b19abe6a9b09e3500c2d3f9f77fd92e0)

5. Copy the key right away. It starts with `sk-ant-`.

## Add the key to OpenWork

1. Open **Settings › AI Providers**.
2. Click **Connect provider**.

![The Connect provider button in OpenWork settings](https://mintcdn.com/differentai/H9StrM6HEZEa0O_7/images/openwork-providers.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=H9StrM6HEZEa0O_7\&q=85\&s=08d1362ee5d38d0a634db742a44d57e2)

3. Choose **Anthropic**. You see "Paste your API key to connect."
4. Paste the key into the **API key** field.
5. Click **Save key**.
6. In a chat, click the model name under the message box and choose a Claude model.

## Common issues

* **The key is rejected.** Make sure you copied the whole key, with no extra spaces.
* **You can't find API Keys.** Check that your Anthropic account has API access and billing set up.
* **You lost the key.** Create a new key in Anthropic, then repeat the steps above to replace it in OpenWork.

Most other providers that use API keys work the same way: create the key in the provider's console, copy it once, and paste it into OpenWork.


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