How to Use Claude Code and OpenAI Codex for Free with FreeModel.dev

If you've wanted to use Claude Code or OpenAI Codex without paying for expensive API usage, FreeModel.dev provides an easy way to do it. You simply create an account, generate an API key, and point the official CLI tools to FreeModel's API endpoint.

As a bonus, if you sign up using my referral link, both of us receive $10 in API credits after you verify your account.

👉 Sign up here:

Credits are usually added within about a minute after verification.

Installing Claude Code

The setup uses the official Anthropic Claude Code CLI.

Step 1: Install Git Bash (Windows)

Git Bash is recommended because it handles paths and shell commands more reliably than Command Prompt.

Download Git for Windows and install it using the default options.

Step 2: Install Node.js

Claude Code requires Node.js 18 or newer.

Verify your version:

node --version

If your version is below 18, install the latest LTS release from Node.js.

Step 3: Create a FreeModel API Key

After signing into FreeModel:

1. Open API Keys
   


2. Click Create Key
   


3. Give it a name


4. Copy the key somewhere safe

Treat this key like a password.

Step 4: Install Claude Code

Install the official CLI:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Restart your terminal afterwards.

Step 5: Configure Claude

Create the file:

C:\Users\<your-user>\.claude\settings.json

If the .claude folder doesn't exist, simply run:

claude

once, then close it.

Now create settings.json:

{

  "env": {

    "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY",

    "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://cc.freemodel.dev",

    "CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC": "1"

  },

  "permissions": {

    "allow": [],

    "deny": []

  },

  "apiKeyHelper": "echo 'YOUR_API_KEY'"

}

Replace both instances of:

YOUR_API_KEY

with your actual FreeModel API key.

Step 6: Launch Claude

Restart your terminal and run:

claude

If everything is configured correctly, you'll see the Claude Code welcome screen and can start chatting with Claude immediately.

Installing OpenAI Codex

FreeModel also supports the official OpenAI Codex CLI.

Step 1: Install Codex

Install using npm:

npm install -g @openai/codex

or Homebrew:

brew install codex

Step 2: Create the Configuration Directory

Delete any previous configuration and recreate it.

PowerShell:

Remove-Item -Recurse -Force ~\.codex -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

New-Item -ItemType Directory ~\.codex

Step 3: Create an API Key

Generate an API key inside your FreeModel dashboard.

Step 4: Create auth.json

Inside:

C:\Users\<your-user>\.codex

Create:

{

  "OPENAI_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"

}

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your key.

Step 5: Create config.toml

In the same folder, create:

model_provider = "freemodel"

model = "gpt-5.5"

model_reasoning_effort = "xhigh"

disable_response_storage = true

preferred_auth_method = "apikey"



[model_providers.freemodel]

name = "freemodel"

base_url = "https://api.freemodel.dev"

wire_api = "responses"

Step 6: Verify Installation

Restart your terminal.

Check that Codex is installed:

codex -V

If you see a version number, you're ready.

Step 7: Start Coding

Navigate into your project:

cd your-project

Launch Codex:

codex

You can also use the official VS Code extension.

Updating Claude Code

To update to the latest version:

npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

Uninstalling Claude Code

npm uninstall -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

You can also delete:

~/.claude

or

%USERPROFILE%\.claude

to remove your configuration.

Troubleshooting

Claude won't start

• Ensure Node.js is version 18+


• Confirm your API key is correct


• Make sure settings.json is inside the .claude folder


• Restart your terminal after editing configuration files

Codex isn't using FreeModel

Double-check that config.toml contains:

base_url = "https://api.freemodel.dev"

and that auth.json contains your API key.

Earn More Free Credits

FreeModel's referral program has no referral limit.

Every verified friend earns both of you:

• $10 API credits


• Credits never expire


• Works with any email provider

Use my referral link to get started:

👉 https://freemodel.dev/invite/FRE-0b7baf97

Once you've verified your account, you'll receive your credits and can begin using Claude Code or Codex without paying upfront.