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As a team member, you can connect your local development environment to your organization’s Anthropic provider setup. This guide walks you through configuring your API key in VS Code so you can start using Claude models through your organization’s configuration. Your administrator has already configured the provider settings — you just need to add your API key to get started.

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Before You Begin

To successfully connect to your organization’s Anthropic provider, you’ll need a few things ready. Cline extension installed and configured
The Cline extension must be installed in VS Code and you need to be signed into your organization account. If you haven’t installed Cline yet, follow our installation guide.
Quick Check: Open the Cline panel in VS Code. If you see your organization name in the bottom left, you’re signed in correctly.
Anthropic API key
You need an API key from Anthropic to authenticate requests. Your organization may provide keys centrally or require you to create one through the Anthropic Console.
If you’re unsure how to obtain an API key, check with your administrator about your organization’s key provisioning process.

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Configuration Steps

1

Open Cline Settings

Open VS Code and access the Cline settings panel using either of these methods:
  • Click the settings icon (⚙️) in the Cline panel
  • Click on the API Provider dropdown located directly below the chat area
2

Enter Your API Key

  1. Select or confirm the Anthropic provider is selected
  2. Enter your Anthropic API key in the API Key field
  3. If your administrator configured a custom base URL, it will already be set and locked
  4. Click Save to store your credentials
API keys are stored locally and are only used by the Cline extension.
The base URL setting is controlled by your administrator. If a custom proxy URL is configured, your API requests will be routed through it automatically.
3

Verify Configuration

After entering your API key, administrator-controlled settings (such as base URL) will be locked (shown with a lock icon 🔒) as they’re managed by your organization.
4

Test the Connection

Send a test message in Cline to verify your API key works correctly with the configured Anthropic endpoint.
Testing RecommendationTry a simple test like “Hello” first to verify basic connectivity before starting development tasks.

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Troubleshooting

Anthropic not available as provider option
Confirm you’re signed into the correct Cline organization. Verify your administrator has saved the Anthropic configuration and that you have the latest version of the Cline extension. Authentication errors (“Invalid API Key” or “Unauthorized”)
Verify your API key is correct and active. Check the Anthropic Console to confirm your key status and that it has sufficient permissions. Connection errors or timeouts
If your administrator configured a custom base URL (proxy), check with your IT team about network requirements. If using the default Anthropic endpoint, ensure you have internet access to api.anthropic.com. Models not available
The available models depend on your Anthropic API plan and your organization’s configuration. Contact your administrator if expected models are not available. Rate limit errors
Your API key may have rate limits configured by Anthropic. If you encounter rate limit errors during normal use, contact your administrator about adjusting limits or managing key usage across the team.

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Security Best Practices

When working with your Anthropic API key:
  • Keep your API key secure and do not share it
  • Never store your API key in code or version control
  • Report any suspected key compromise to your administrator immediately
  • Regularly check the Anthropic Console for unusual usage patterns
For further details, consult the Anthropic API documentation and coordinate with your organization’s administrator.