About ten minutes and $5. You'll make an account on the Claude Console, Anthropic's developer site, buy a little credit, set a monthly ceiling, and create the key that runs the Claude column in PolyCog. You pay Anthropic directly at their prices. PolyCog adds nothing.
The short version: platform.claude.com, prepaid credit (checkout pre-picks $20 with auto-reload on), a monthly spend limit that actually stops requests, a key scoped to one workspace, paste, test. Links go straight to each settings page.
Never made an API key? Stay here. Every click is spelled out.Condensed steps, direct links, scopes and tier details.
What you need
A Google account or any email address
A card, Apple Pay or Google Pay (the smallest purchase is $5)
A free PolyCog account to save the key in
About ten minutes
Claude Pro and Max don't cover this
A Claude subscription pays for chatting at claude.ai. Apps like PolyCog use the Claude API, which lives on a separate account at platform.claude.com with its own prepaid credit. You can use the same email for both; they're billed separately.
The steps
Tick each circle as you finish a step. Your ticks stay in this browser, so you can close the tab and pick up where you left off.
Sign in to the Claude Console
1 min
Go to platform.claude.com. The page says Claude Console at the top and "Build on the Claude Platform" in the middle; they're the same place. Choose Continue with Google, or type your email and choose Continue with email.
With email, Anthropic sends you a sign-in link. There's no password to make.
Already chat at claude.ai? That's a different account, even with the same email. The API lives here.
The old address, console.anthropic.com, brings you to the same page.
console.anthropic.com redirects to platform.claude.com. Google, email link or SSO; no password option. Console and claude.ai accounts are independent even on one email.
A new account gets three short screens, and the last one takes payment. Here's what to pick on each. Seen them before? Tick this step and skip ahead.
Illustrationplatform.claude.com (simplified)
Claude ConsoleA
Build on the Claude PlatformCreate agents and applications with frontier Claude models.G Continue with GoogleOREnter your emailContinue with email
Start building with ClaudeWhat's your full name?Claude ShannonI am at least 18 years old, agree to Anthropic's Commercial Terms and Usage Policy, and acknowledge their Privacy PolicyContinue
How will you use the Claude API?Claude Console is for building with the API: keys, usage, and billing.IndividualBuild and experiment on your own. Manage your own API keys and billing.OrganizationInvite teammates, share API access, and manage billing centrally.
Buy usage credits to get started$5 is enough to build and test a first integration.$5Starting out$20Recommended$100BuildingOtherCardApple PayGoogle PayBilling addressName · Country · AddressCredit cardCard numberAuto-reload onWhen balance reaches$ 10Top up to$ 50Purchase summaryUsage credits$20.00Estimated tax$--Total due$--Credits are used by the API, Claude Code and the playground, and expire 1 year after purchase.Buy creditsSkip for now
1/7Continue with Google, or type your email
Screen 1
Your full name, tick the box (you're 18 or older and accept the terms), then Continue.
Screen 2
Individual (Organization is for teams sharing one bill)
Screen 3
$5, "Starting out" ($20 is pre-picked; $5 is plenty to start). Card, billing address, then switch Auto-reload off (step 4 sets it up properly). Buy credits.
Look at the Auto-reload box before you pay. It starts switched on, set to charge your card back up to $50 every time your balance falls to $10.
Anthropic adds tax on top, worked out from your billing address.
Not ready to pay? Skip for now is fine. Step 3 shows where to buy credit later.
/onboarding (name + 18+ terms) › /create (Individual / Organization) › /create/credits. The organization is named "<Name>'s Individual Org" automatically.
Checkout: $5 / $20 (default) / $100 / Other; Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay. Auto-reload defaults on, $10 → $50. Credits cover the API, Claude Code and the playground; they expire 1 year after purchase and aren't refundable.
Find Billing
2 min
You'll need Billing for the next two steps, and it's tucked away. Click your name at the very bottom left, choose Organization settings, then Billing in the left menu. Pressed "Skip for now" earlier? Choose Buy credits there, pick an amount in the Add credits box, and confirm.
Illustrationplatform.claude.com (simplified)
Claude ConsoleDefault ⌄DashboardAPI keysBuildManaged AgentsAnalyticsCredits $0.00AAlexAdmin · Alex's Individual Org
Good morning, AlexGet API keyOrganization credits$0.00Add fundsSpend this month$0.00of your tier limitModels · Resources
← Back to appGeneralOrganization settingsOrganizationWorkspacesBillingRate limitsAPI keys
← Back to appGeneralOrganization settingsOrganizationWorkspacesBillingRate limitsAPI keys
BillingCredit balance$0.00Set up auto-reloadBuy creditsAuto-reload is off. API requests will stop when your balance runs out.Payment details · Spend limits
[email protected]Alex's Individual Org ✓Organization settingsFeedbackGet helpLanguageLog out
Shortcut: the Credits row near the bottom of the left menu opens Billing too.
Anthropic adds sales tax on top, worked out from your billing address. The Add credits box shows the total before you pay.
Credit expires one year after you buy it and isn't refundable, so start small. You're only charged for requests that work.
Your name (bottom left) › Organization settings › Billing (or the left menu's Credits row): Credit balance (Set up / Manage auto-reload, Buy credits → Add credits: $5 / $20 / $100 / Other, estimated tax, payment method), Payment details, Spend limits.
Usage tiers are assigned automatically; no deposit moves you up. New organizations may start in a lower Evaluation tier that rises on its own. Monthly invoicing is a sales conversation.
When your credit runs out, Claude stops answering until you add more. On Billing, the line under your balance says what's set: "Auto-reload is off. API requests will stop when your balance runs out", or "Auto-reload is on. Your balance will be topped up to $15 when your balance falls below $5." The button next to it reads Set up auto-reload while it's off and Manage auto-reload once it's on.
Refill automatically
For regular use, so a debate never stops halfway. Choose Set up auto-reload and fill in:
When credit balance reaches $5
Bring credit balance back up to $15
Then choose Turn on, and set the monthly spend limit in step 5 to $20. Auto-reload only buys back what you've spent, and the limit stops the spending, so this can't run away.
Keep a hard stop
For trying things out. Leave auto-reload off (already on? Manage auto-reload › Turn off). When credit reaches zero, the Claude column shows "Out of API credit" and nothing more is charged. Buy more whenever you like.
How much will you use Claude in PolyCog?A few chats a week on Haiku or Sonnet rarely spends $5 a month. Suggested numbers only.
IllustrationOrganization settings › Billing › Set up auto-reload (simplified)
← Back to appGeneralOrganization settingsOrganizationWorkspacesBillingRate limitsAPI keys
BillingCredit balance$5.00Set up auto-reloadBuy creditsAuto-reload is off. API requests will stop when your balance runs out.
Turn on auto-reloadAvoid service disruptions by automatically topping up credits when your balance runs low.When credit balance reaches:$ 10Bring credit balance back up to:$ 50Credits will be charged to Card •••• 4242CancelTurn on
1/4Choose Set up auto-reload
Billing › Credit balance › Set up auto-reload ("Turn on auto-reload": Cancel / Turn on) or, once on, Manage auto-reload ("Adjust auto-reload": Turn off / Update). Two fields: "When credit balance reaches", "Bring credit balance back up to". Each reload is its own card charge and receipt. On by default at checkout ($10 → $50).
Auto-reload has no cap of its own; the organization's monthly spend limit (step 5) is what bounds it.
Set a monthly spend limit
Recommended1 min
Further down the same Billing page is Spend limits. Next to Monthly spend limit, choose Adjust limit, enter an amount, say $20, and choose Set limit. This one is a real ceiling: once the month's spending reaches it, Claude stops answering until the 1st of next month or until you raise it. Then choose Add notification, + Add threshold, type an amount and Save, so you get an email before you get there. You can add more than one.
← Back to appGeneralOrganization settingsOrganizationWorkspacesBillingRate limitsAPI keys
Spend limitsSet a monthly spend limit for your organization and get notified as you approach it.$0.42 spentResets on the 1st (UTC)Monthly spend limitYour tier's limitAdjust limitEmail notificationsGet notified as your monthly spend approaches an amount you set.Add notification
Edit spend limitSet a monthly spend limit for organization.$ 500Set limit
Email notificationsAll admins get emailed as your organization's monthly spend approaches the amounts you set.Notify when monthly spend reaches$🗑+ Add thresholdCancelSave
1/7Spend limits is lower on the Billing page
Until you set one, the limit is your account tier's own monthly ceiling, which is far more than PolyCog needs.
Hit the limit mid-month? The Claude column shows "Monthly spend limit reached". Raise the limit and it works again right away.
Organization Billing › Spend limits › Adjust limit ("Edit spend limit" › Set limit): a hard cap, up to your tier's ceiling. Hitting it returns 400 invalid_request_error "You have reached your specified API usage limits"; it resets at 00:00 UTC on the 1st. Email notifications take several thresholds and go to every admin.
Workspaces can carry their own limit and alerts, but not the Default workspace. A dedicated "PolyCog" workspace gives PolyCog its own ceiling.
Create the key
2 min
Choose ← Back to app at the top left, then API keys in the left menu (or Get API key at the top of the dashboard), then Create key. A box about identity federation appears first: choose Continue with an API key. Then fill in the key like this and choose Create key:
Name
polycog (so you can tell it apart later)
Expires
Never (Anthropic prints it in red to make you think; for PolyCog it's the right pick, since an expired key quietly stops the Claude column. Deleting the key is the off switch.)
Linked account
You (already selected)
Scope
Default workspace (not Organization: an Organization key needs a workspace ID on every request, and PolyCog doesn't send one)
Illustrationplatform.claude.com › API keys (simplified)
Claude ConsoleDefault ⌄DashboardAPI keysBuildManaged AgentsAnalyticsCredits $5.00AAlexAdmin · Alex's Individual Org
Good morning, AlexGet API keyOrganization credits$5.00Token volume0
Claude ConsoleDefault ⌄DashboardAPI keysBuildManaged AgentsAnalyticsCredits $5.00AAlexAdmin · Alex's Individual Org
API keys+ Create keyKeyLinked accountExpiresNo API keys yetpolycog sk-ant-api03-…xQAAAlexNever
With identity federation, you don't need an API keyYour cloud or CI provider issues short-lived tokens that authenticate your requests.Nothing to store in env vars or config filesTokens rotate automaticallyWorks with GCP, AWS, Azure and GitHub ActionsLocal scripts, third-party tools, and environments without an identity provider may still need an API key.Set up identity federationContinue with an API key
Create API keyNamemy-secret-keyExpires30 days3 hours1 day7 days30 daysCustomNeverLinked accountAlexRequests with this key act as you.ScopeSelect a scopeOrganizationDefault workspaceThis key only works in the Default workspace.Create key
Save your API keyKeep a record of the key below. You won't be able to view it again.sk-ant-api03-EXAMPLE…xQAACopy keyDone
1/9API keys is in the left menu
Copy it before you close the window.Anthropic shows the full key only once. Use Copy key; the key starts with sk-ant-api03- and is long. If you lose it, delete it and make a new one. That's free and takes a minute. If the box says "This key works across workspaces", the Scope was Organization: choose Done, delete that key, and make another with Default workspace.
Skip the pop-up: identity federation (workload identity) swaps static keys for short-lived cloud or CI tokens. PolyCog needs a static key.
Expires: 3 hours, 1 day, 7 days, 30 days (default), Custom, Never. It can't be changed after creation; warning emails go out before expiry; an expired key returns 401.
Scope: Organization or a workspace (it can start empty; opened from a workspace's key list it may already read Default workspace). An Organization key "works across workspaces" and needs anthropic-workspace-id on every request (400 otherwise); PolyCog sends only x-api-key, so pick a workspace.
A linked key is deactivated if you leave the organization; a service-account key survives that. The key list shows each key's cost.
Sign in to PolyCog (a free account is enough), open your profile and choose the Keys tab. Paste into Claude API key and choose Save keys. The button below opens it right here, over this page.
Illustrationpolycog.io › Profile › Keys
ProfileChatsMemorySettingsSavingsKeys
Keys are stored in this browser. Turn on sync to keep them (encrypted) with your account.ChatGPT API keyONsk-…Claude API keyONHow to get one →sk-ant-…Save keys
Keys saved
1/2Paste into Claude API key
Keys stay in the browser you saved them in. If you switch on key sync, they're encrypted and stored with your account so your other devices get them too.
Profile › Keys › Claude API key › Save keys. Per-key on/off switch. Sync is optional (AES-256 at rest).
Pick a model in the Claude column (Claude Haiku 4.5 is the cheapest) and ask something short. An answer means you're done. Got an error? Find its wording under Troubleshooting.
Test on claude-haiku-4-5-20251001. Error text maps to Troubleshooting.
You're set up.
Your Anthropic key is in PolyCog. One provider gives you one opinion; add a second and the bots have someone to argue with.
Rough numbers for one answer (about 1,100 words of question and context in, 750 words out). A debate round costs a little more than a first answer, since each model reads the others.
Model
Price per 1M tokensin / out
One answer
Answers per $5
Claude Haiku 4.5cheapest, fast
$1.00 / $5.00
≈ $0.0065
≈ 770
Claude Sonnet 5everyday
$2.00 / $10.00
≈ $0.013
≈ 380
Claude Opus 5.5deep work
$4.00 / $20.00
≈ $0.026
≈ 190
Claude Fable 5.1flagship
$10.00 / $50.00
≈ $0.065
≈ 77
Web search adds Anthropic's $0.01 per search. Prices from /pricing/, verified Sep 23, 2026. Assumes 1,500 tokens in and 1,000 out per answer.
Troubleshooting
Find the words from the error in PolyCog's Claude column.
Your credit balance is too low to access the Anthropic API400 · invalid_request_error · PolyCog shows "Out of API credit"
No credit yet, or it ran out: buy some on Billing (step 3), or turn on auto-reload (step 4).
Just bought it? Give it a minute, then try again.
The key belongs to a different organization than the one you paid for. The account menu at the bottom left shows which organization you're in.
Part of the key is missing, it was deleted or disabled, or it passed its expiration date. Make a new key (step 6), copy it with Copy key, and paste it again.
You have reached your specified API usage limits400 · your own monthly spend limit · PolyCog shows "Monthly spend limit reached"
This month's spending reached the limit you set in step 5. Raise it with Adjust limit and Claude answers again right away, or wait for the 1st of the month (UTC).
Your organization has crossed its monthly API usage threshold429 · your usage tier's monthly ceiling · PolyCog shows "Monthly tier limit reached"
Every account has a monthly ceiling set by its usage tier. New accounts start lower and move up on their own. Until then, access returns on the 1st of the month (UTC), or you can ask for more under Organization settings › Rate limits.
anthropic-workspace-id is required when authenticating with an identity-linked API key400 · an Organization-scoped key
The key was made with Scope set to Organization (its key screen said "This key works across workspaces"). Make a new key with Scope set to Default workspace (step 6), paste that one instead, and delete the old one.
There's an issue with your billing or payment information402 · billing_error
Usually a declined card, often during an auto-reload. Check Billing › Payment details and update the card.
Provider rate-limited the request (HTTP 429)429 · rate_limit_error
New accounts start with lower per-minute limits. Wait a minute, or run fewer Claude columns at once. Limits rise on their own as you use the API.
Overloaded529 · overloaded_error
Anthropic is busy. It isn't your key or your credit. Try again in a moment, or pick a different Claude model.
I lost the keyor closed the window before copying
Anthropic can't show it again. Create a new one, paste it into PolyCog, then delete the old one on the API keys page (the ⋮ menu on its row).
I think my key leakedposted it, shared a screenshot
Delete it on the API keys page right away. It stops working immediately. Then make a new one.
Questions people ask
Is the Claude API free?
No. You buy prepaid credit, $5 at the least, and pay per use from it. An everyday answer on Haiku or Sonnet costs around a cent or less.
Does Claude Pro or Max include API access?
No. A Claude subscription covers chatting at claude.ai. The API is a separate account at platform.claude.com with its own credit, even if you use the same email.
How much should I put in first?
$5 is plenty to start. The checkout pre-picks $20, which suits daily use of the bigger models. Credit expires one year after you buy it, so a small start wastes nothing.
Does Anthropic charge tax on credits?
Yes, in most places. The checkout and the Add credits box show the estimated tax for your billing address before you pay, so $20 of credit can cost a little more than $20.
Do Claude API credits expire?
Yes. Credit expires one year after the purchase and isn't refundable.
What's identity federation? Do I need it?
It lets software running on AWS, Google Cloud, Azure or GitHub Actions sign in with short-lived tokens instead of a stored key. PolyCog can't use it. Choose Continue with an API key.
Individual or Organization?
Individual, unless several people will share one bill. Both give you API keys and billing.
Claude Console, Claude Platform, Claude Developer Platform?
All the same place: Anthropic's developer site at platform.claude.com. The names changed over time and the pages still use all three.
Is it safe to give PolyCog my key?
PolyCog sends it only to Anthropic, only for requests you start. It's kept in your browser, and encrypted if you turn on key sync. You can delete the key in the Console at any time, which cuts off access instantly, and the monthly spend limit caps what it can ever cost.
OpenRouterWildcard seat, one key for six labsComing soon
ElevenLabsHD narration voicesComing soon
Key in hand? Put it to work.
PolyCog puts up to six AI models on the same question, lets them debate, and has the one you pick write the answer. Your keys, provider prices, no markup.
Free tier forever · $10/mo · $250 lifetime · your API keys, your bill
Verified at Anthropic's help center, developer docs and platform on Sep 26, 2026. Anthropic moves things around; spotted a change? Send a correction. Screens are simplified drawings, not screenshots. Not affiliated with Anthropic.All guides → · Models → · Pricing →