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You can change the model Claude Code uses with /model during a session, claude --model for one session, or a persistent setting. Those controls choose a model; they do not change where requests are sent. Provider routing—through Anthropic, a supported cloud platform, or a gateway—is configured separately. “Any model” is not a promise of full support: Anthropic says it does not support routing Claude Code to non-Claude models through gateways, and OpenRouter warns that other providers may not work correctly.
Three ways to choose a model in Claude Code
Use the route that matches how long you want the choice to last. The available models can depend on your account and configuration; a model name or alias is not a guarantee that it is available to every user.
| Method | When it applies | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| In-session command | Change the selection in an active Claude Code session | /model to open model selection, or /model <alias-or-name> to switch directly |
| Command-line option | Choose a model for a single invocation/session | claude --model <alias-or-full-model-name> |
| Persistent configuration | Set a preferred model beyond one invocation | Configure the model using Claude Code settings or the ANTHROPIC_MODEL environment variable, following the model-configuration guide for your installed version |
Change it while Claude Code is running
Enter /model to open the model selector and choose an option offered to your account. To request a particular alias or model name directly, use /model <alias-or-name>. The current model can be checked with /status, subject to the model configuration available in your Claude Code version.
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Set it for one invocation
Start Claude Code with claude --model <alias-or-full-model-name>. The CLI reference says this option overrides the configured model and ANTHROPIC_MODEL for that session. For example, replace the angle-bracketed value with a model identifier available to your account:
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claude --model <alias-or-full-model-name>Keep a preferred model as the default
For a choice that should persist, configure the model in Claude Code settings or use ANTHROPIC_MODEL. The exact persistent settings and precedence can vary by version and configuration, so follow the model-configuration documentation corresponding to your installed Claude Code version rather than copying an old setting blindly. A command-line --model choice is the per-session override, not a replacement for that persistent configuration.
Choosing a model is not the same as routing requests
The model option identifies what model Claude Code should request. The request endpoint determines where that request goes. For example, --model selects a model identifier, while ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL changes the endpoint. Setting a base URL alone does not determine which model the endpoint serves; the endpoint and model must be configured consistently for the provider or gateway.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Claude Code uses Anthropic’s API by default. Anthropic’s setup documentation also describes configurations for Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud’s Agent Platform, and Microsoft Foundry. Each cloud route has its own credentials and provider-specific setup. Model identifiers, authentication requirements, regions, and account eligibility can change, so consult the provider’s current Claude Code instructions for the route you intend to use.
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When a gateway makes sense—and its limits
A gateway or proxy can sit between Claude Code and a model API. Depending on the gateway, it may centralize credentials, usage attribution, budgets or rate limits, auditing, and provider switching. These are possible gateway capabilities, not guarantees about every product. Setup requires a configured gateway, its supported API format, a base URL, credentials, and any required model mapping.
Rank #3
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Anthropic’s policy is explicit: “Anthropic doesn’t endorse, maintain, or audit third-party gateway products, and doesn’t support routing Claude Code to non-Claude models through any gateway.” A gateway may expose a compatible API, but that does not make non-Claude model routing an Anthropic-supported Claude Code configuration.
OpenRouter as a documented integration example
OpenRouter documents connecting Claude Code to its Anthropic-compatible Messages API by setting ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL to https://openrouter.ai/api. Its guide cautions: “Claude Code is optimized for Anthropic models and may not work correctly with other providers.” It recommends Anthropic’s first-party provider as the top priority for maximum compatibility. This is OpenRouter’s integration guidance, not an Anthropic compatibility guarantee.
Rank #4
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To use this pattern, configure the gateway and credentials according to OpenRouter’s current instructions, then set the endpoint in Claude Code’s appropriate configuration. Do not assume the endpoint setting itself selects a model or that every model exposed by the gateway will work with Claude Code.
Which route should you use?
- For the simplest official model change: start Claude Code and run
/model, then choose an option shown for your account. - For a one-session choice: launch with
claude --model <alias-or-full-model-name>. - For a lasting preference: use settings or
ANTHROPIC_MODELas documented for your installed version. - For a cloud-provider account: follow that provider’s current Claude Code setup and use its credentials and configuration.
- For centralized controls or a gateway: configure the gateway endpoint and credentials separately, and confirm the API format and model mapping it supports.
There is no substantiated universal “two-minute” setup time. An in-session /model change is quick when Claude Code is already running, but a gateway setup depends on having credentials, an account, and a correctly configured endpoint. The sources do not establish a measured completion time.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Official setup references
- Claude Code CLI reference for
/model,/status, and command-line options. - Claude Code model configuration for persistent model settings and environment configuration.
- Claude Code setup and third-party providers for supported cloud-provider configuration.
- Anthropic’s gateway guidance for gateway configuration and policy.
- OpenRouter’s Claude Code integration guide for its documented endpoint pattern and compatibility caution.
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