claude-max-proxy-setup

# Claude Max API Proxy Setup

## Overview

Replace per-token Claude API billing ($15-75/M tokens) with a flat-rate proxy through your Claude Max ($200/mo) or Pro ($20/mo) subscription. The [`claude-max-api-proxy`](https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy) package exposes your authenticated Claude Code CLI session as an OpenAI-compatible HTTP endpoint on `localhost:3456`.

**How it works:** The proxy uses your already-authenticated `claude` CLI session to forward requests. No API keys are stored or transmitted by the proxy — it relies on your local CLI login. Any OpenAI-compatible client (OpenClaw, LangChain, custom scripts) connects to `localhost:3456`.

**Source code:** [github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy](https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy) — review the source before installing.

## When to Use

- Agent API costs exceed $20/month and you have a Claude Max or Pro subscription
- You want to run Claude Opus 4.6, Sonnet 4.6, or Haiku 4.5 without per-token charges
- You're configuring OpenClaw, LangChain, or any OpenAI-compatible client to use Claude

**Do not use when:**
- You don't have a Claude Max or Pro subscription (get one first at claude.ai)
- You need concurrent request throughput >5 (Max plan has rate limits)
- You're on a shared server where others could access port 3456

## Security Notes

- The proxy binds to **localhost only** by default — it is not accessible from other machines
- It uses your authenticated `claude` CLI session, meaning anyone with access to port 3456 on your machine can make requests against your subscription
- **Never expose port 3456 to the public internet** — use firewall rules to restrict access
- Review the [package source](https://github.com/atalovesyou/claude-max-api-proxy) before installing

## Setup Process

### 1. Prerequisites Check

```bash
# Verify Node.js 20+
node --version

# Verify Claude Code CLI is installed and authenticated
claude --version
claude --print "test"   # Should return...