How to Set Up Claude API in VS Code with Cline (2026)

July 12, 2026·2 min read·Claude API Tech

Cline is a popular open-source VS Code extension that turns the editor into an agentic coding assistant. It works with any OpenAI-compatible endpoint, so you can plug in your own Claude API key and pay only for real usage.

Here's how to wire it up with Claude API Tech: no VPN, pay with crypto, all Claude models under a single key.

Want the detailed version based on the Cline interface? Open the Claude API Tech integration guide.

What you'll need

VS Code with the Cline extension installed
An API key in the sk-cs2-* format from Claude API Tech
A couple of minutes

Get your API key in 2 minutes

Step 1. Get an API key

Sign up and create a key in your dashboard. The format is sk-cs2-.... New accounts get $1.50 in test credit, so you can try it with zero upfront cost.

Step 2. Bring your own API key

Install Cline with vscode:extension/saoudrizwan.claude-dev or from the official Cline website. On the first screen, under How will you use Cline?, select Bring my own API key and click Continue.

Step 3. Enter the endpoint and key

Base URL:  https://api.llm-gate.tech/v1
API Key:   sk-cs2-your-key
Model ID:  claude-fable-5

Save the settings.

Step 4. Pick a model

Task	Model
Everyday coding	`claude-sonnet-5` or `claude-sonnet-4-6`
Complex refactors	`claude-opus-4-8`
Fast tasks	`claude-fable-5`

Done

Cline now runs on your Claude API Tech balance. Switch models per task without changing keys, and pay only for the tokens you use.

If requests fail, double-check that the Base URL ends with /v1 and that the Model ID appears in the current model list.

See the complete walkthrough in the Cline integration documentation.

Start free — $1.50 credit