Description: Walkthrough to set up and use Claude Code locally and free via OpenRouter. The video demonstrates configuring settings.json.local, creating an API key on openrouter.ai, selecting a free model (e.g., MiniMax M2.5), setting the base URL, and testing in VS Code. It also outlines three development best practices for building reliable, scalable apps with limited models.
– Setup steps: Create a local settings file, obtain an OpenRouter API key, choose a free model and set the base URL; test in the terminal to confirm a $0 cost model.
– Model selection: Pick free coding-friendly models (e.g., MiniMax) and paste model identifiers into the config to run Claude Code locally.
– Architecture advice: Keep code modular and files small (under ~600 lines) so the AI can maintain context and avoid hallucinations.
– Workflow rules: Understand application building blocks, work one task per session, test manually and push each step to GitHub to preserve a reliable history.
Quotes:
I’ll show you how to use Claude Code 100% free — so you have no excuse not to build your project today.
Your job isn’t to write every line of code; it’s to know what to ask for.
Keep your files small — less than 600 lines — so the AI doesn’t lose track.
Statistics
| Upload date: | 2026-04-11 |
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| Likes: | 527 |
| Comments: | 37 |
| Statistics updated: | 2026-04-12 |
Specification: Claude Code Is Now 100% Free – Here’s How
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