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How to use DeepSeek in Claude Code (and what it really costs)

Claude Code can run on DeepSeek instead of Claude: same app, same folder, a fraction of the price. Here's the 4-line setup, current prices, and an honest look at what you trade for the savings.

Updated October 20, 2026 · by AGI Point

Step 1. Get a DeepSeek API key

On platform.deepseek.com: sign up, top up a few dollars, then API Keys → Create. Keep the key private.

Step 2. Install Claude Code

Install Node.js from nodejs.org, then in Terminal (Mac) or PowerShell (Windows):

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

Step 3. Point Claude Code at DeepSeek

Mac or Linux, in the same Terminal window (Windows PowerShell: use $env:NAME="value" instead of export):

export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://api.deepseek.com/anthropic
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN=your-deepseek-api-key
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=deepseek-flash
export ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_HAIKU_MODEL=deepseek-flash
cd ~/Documents/my-games
claude

This is the short version of DeepSeek's own setup docs. Claude Code then builds and saves files in your folder as usual.

What it costs

DeepSeek V4.1 Flash (deepseek-flash)	Price per 1 million tokens
Input	$0.30, or $0.15 off-peak
Output (the code it writes)	$1.20, or $0.60 off-peak

From DeepSeek's pricing page, October 19, 2026. Off-peak is half price: weekends, and weekdays outside 01:00–04:00 and 06:00–10:00 UTC. Prices change: check the page before you rely on them.

In our own test, the same game prompt cost $73.80 with Claude Opus and $0.34 with DeepSeek. A small browser game usually costs cents.

The trade-off

Cheap models are great for simple browser games and quick experiments. For the most polished games and long projects, Claude Opus still builds noticeably better, which is what the price difference pays for. Your prompts and code go to the model's servers: never paste passwords or private data.

Free options with nothing to install: DeepSeek's web chat (chat.deepseek.com), Qwen (chat.qwen.ai), Kimi (kimi.com), GLM (chat.z.ai) and MiniMax all accept the same game prompt from our game tutorial.

Questions