Claude Max API Proxy

claude-max-api-proxy is a community tool that exposes your Claude Max/Pro subscription as an OpenAI-compatible API endpoint. This allows you to use your subscription with any tool that supports the OpenAI API format.

Why use this?

If you have a Claude Max subscription and want to use it with OpenAI-compatible tools, this proxy may reduce cost for some workflows. API keys remain the clearer policy path for production use.

How it works

Your App → claude-max-api-proxy → Claude Code CLI → Anthropic (via subscription)
     (OpenAI format)              (converts format)      (uses your login)

The proxy:

1. Accepts OpenAI-format requests at http://localhost:3456/v1/chat/completions
2. Converts them to Claude Code CLI commands
3. Returns responses in OpenAI format (streaming supported)

Getting started

1. Install the proxy

   Requires Node.js 20+ and Claude Code CLI.

   npm install -g claude-max-api-proxy
   
   # Verify Claude CLI is authenticated
   claude --version
   

2. Start the server

   claude-max-api
   # Server runs at http://localhost:3456
   

3. Test the proxy

   # Health check
   curl http://localhost:3456/health
   
   # List models
   curl http://localhost:3456/v1/models
   
   # Chat completion
   curl http://localhost:3456/v1/chat/completions \
     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
     -d '{
       "model": "claude-opus-4",
       "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
     }'
   

4. Configure OpenClaw

   Point OpenClaw at the proxy as a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint:

   {
     env: {
       OPENAI_API_KEY: "not-needed",
       OPENAI_BASE_URL: "http://localhost:3456/v1",
     },
     agents: {
       defaults: {
         model: { primary: "openai/claude-opus-4" },
       },
     },
   }
   

Available models

Advanced

cat > ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude-max-api.plist << 'EOF'
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
  <key>Label</key>
  <string>com.claude-max-api</string>
  <key>RunAtLoad</key>
  <true/>
  <key>KeepAlive</key>
  <true/>
  <key>ProgramArguments</key>
  <array>
    <string>/usr/local/bin/node</string>
    <string>/usr/local/lib/node_modules/claude-max-api-proxy/dist/server/standalone.js</string>
  </array>
  <key>EnvironmentVariables</key>
  <dict>
    <key>PATH</key>
    <string>/usr/local/bin:/opt/homebrew/bin:~/.local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin</string>
  </dict>
</dict>
</plist>
EOF

launchctl bootstrap gui/$(id -u) ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.claude-max-api.plist

Links

• npm: https://www.npmjs.com/package/claude-max-api-proxy
• GitHub: https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy
• Issues: https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy/issues

Notes

• This is a community tool, not officially supported by Anthropic or OpenClaw
• Requires an active Claude Max/Pro subscription with Claude Code CLI authenticated
• The proxy runs locally and does not send data to any third-party servers
• Streaming responses are fully supported

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