Claude Authentication
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What is Claude Authentication?
A setting determining whether Claude Code runs via OAuth subscription (Claude Max/Pro) or via API key from the Vault. Per-installation, not per-project.
Settings → General → Queue & Code → Claude Authentication has two options: Claude Max/Pro Subscription (default — uses Claude Code's OAuth login, deletes any `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` from spawn env) and API Key/Enterprise (uses the Vault's `anthropic` key). Use subscription if you pay for Claude Max/Pro; use API Key only if you're on Enterprise or pay-per-token.
How it relates to Orbit
Orbit’s model-tier settings support Claude subscription OAuth or an API key for the selected tier. See Complexity Tiers & Routing for details.
When you would use it
You configure Claude Authentication once during initial setup based on your Anthropic billing relationship.
Common operations
- Switching from API key to subscription billing
- Setting up enterprise pay-per-token mode
Related terms
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