OpenRouter Configuration Examples for Claude Code

Tags: openrouter configuration examples kimi-k2 free-models

This guide provides practical configuration examples for using Claude Code with OpenRouter across different scenarios and use cases.

Table of Contents

• Basic Configurations
• Development Workflows
• Team Configurations
• Cost-Optimized Setups
• Advanced Scenarios
• Project Templates

Quick Start: Which Example Should I Use?

This page contains many examples. Use this guide to find the right one for your needs quickly.

• Just starting out?

  • Use the Minimal Setup to get up and running in seconds.

• Working on a team?

  • Jump to the Team Configurations to see how to enforce conventions and share settings.

• Worried about cost?

  • See our Cost-Optimized Setups, including how to use only free models.

• Integrating with CI/CD?

  • Check the CI/CD Integration example for using Claude Code in your GitHub Actions.

• Need a project template?

  • We have templates for Next.js and Python FastAPI to get you started with best practices.

Basic Configurations

Minimal Setup - Just Get Started

# ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-or-v1-your-openrouter-key"
 
# That's it! Claude Code will now use OpenRouter

Single Model Configuration

# Use Kimi K2 exclusively
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-or-v1-your-key"
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="moonshotai/kimi-k2"

Multi-Model Setup

# Different models for different tasks
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-or-v1-your-key"
 
# Main model for complex tasks
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="moonshotai/kimi-k2"
 
# Fast model for simple tasks
export ANTHROPIC_SMALL_FAST_MODEL="google/gemini-2.5-flash"
 
# Background tasks (indexing, etc)
export ANTHROPIC_BACKGROUND_MODEL="meta-llama/llama-3.1-8b"

Development Workflows

Frontend Development Setup

# Optimized for React/Vue/Angular development
alias claude-frontend='ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app" \
  ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="$OPENROUTER_KEY" \
  ANTHROPIC_MODEL="moonshotai/kimi-k2" \
  ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="You are an expert frontend developer specializing in React, TypeScript, and modern CSS. Focus on component architecture, performance, and accessibility." \
  claude'

Backend API Development

# Optimized for backend development
alias claude-backend='ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app" \
  ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="$OPENROUTER_KEY" \
  ANTHROPIC_MODEL="deepseek/deepseek-r1" \
  ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="You are an expert backend developer specializing in Node.js, databases, and API design. Focus on security, scalability, and clean architecture." \
  claude'

Full-Stack TypeScript

.claude/settings.json:

{
  "api_base_url": "https://cc.yovy.app",
  "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
  "permission_mode": "cautious",
  "system_prompt": "You are an expert TypeScript developer working on a full-stack application. Always use TypeScript, implement proper error handling, and follow clean code principles.",
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Write|Edit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "npx prettier --write $CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS && npx eslint --fix $CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS",
            "timeout": 15000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Data Science Setup

# ~/.claude/ds-config.json
{
  "api_base_url": "https://cc.yovy.app",
  "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
  "system_prompt": "You are a data scientist expert in Python, pandas, numpy, and machine learning. Always include data validation and visualization.",
  "working_directory": "~/data-projects",
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Write|Edit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "black $CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS && flake8 $CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS",
            "timeout": 10000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}
 
# Usage
alias claude-ds='claude --settings ~/.claude/ds-config.json'

Team Configurations

Shared Team Settings

project/.claude/settings.json:

{
  "api_base_url": "https://cc.yovy.app",
  "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
  "permission_mode": "cautious",
  "max_turns": 5,
  "team_conventions": {
    "language": "TypeScript",
    "style_guide": "https://github.com/airbnb/javascript",
    "commit_format": "conventional",
    "test_framework": "vitest"
  },
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Write|Edit|MultiEdit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "./scripts/validate-code-standards.sh",
            "timeout": 30000
          }
        ]
      }
    ],
    "Stop": [
      {
        "matcher": ".*",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "./scripts/generate-summary.sh",
            "timeout": 10000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Individual Developer Overrides

project/.claude/settings.local.json:

{
  "api_key": "sk-or-v1-personal-key",
  "model": "google/gemini-2.5-flash",
  "developer_name": "John Doe",
  "preferred_tools": {
    "formatter": "prettier",
    "linter": "eslint",
    "test_runner": "vitest"
  }
}

Junior Developer Config

{
  "api_base_url": "https://cc.yovy.app",
  "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
  "permission_mode": "strict",
  "max_turns": 3,
  "system_prompt": "Provide detailed explanations for code changes. Include learning resources and best practice references. Ask for confirmation before major changes.",
  "educational_mode": true,
  "hooks": {
    "PreToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Bash|Write|Edit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "echo 'Change requested: Review before proceeding' && read -p 'Continue? (y/n): ' confirm && [[ $confirm == 'y' ]]",
            "timeout": 300000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Cost-Optimized Setups

Free Tier Only

# Use only free models
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-or-v1-your-key"
 
# Free models rotation
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="moonshotai/kimi-k2"
export ANTHROPIC_FALLBACK_MODELS="google/gemini-2.0-flash-thinking-exp-1219:free,meta-llama/llama-3.1-8b-instruct:free"

Budget-Conscious Development

{
  "api_base_url": "https://cc.yovy.app",
  "cost_controls": {
    "daily_limit": 1.00,
    "model_preferences": [
      {
        "task": "simple_edits",
        "model": "google/gemini-2.5-flash",
        "max_cost": 0.10
      },
      {
        "task": "complex_analysis",
        "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
        "max_cost": 0.00
      },
      {
        "task": "code_review",
        "model": "meta-llama/llama-3.1-8b",
        "max_cost": 0.05
      }
    ]
  }
}

Zero-Cost Development

#!/bin/bash
# free-claude.sh - Use only free models
 
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="$OPENROUTER_KEY"
 
# Cycle through free models
MODELS=(
  "moonshotai/kimi-k2"
  "google/gemini-2.0-flash-thinking-exp-1219:free"
  "meta-llama/llama-3.1-8b-instruct:free"
  "nousresearch/hermes-3-llama-3.1-8b:free"
)
 
# Random selection
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=${MODELS[$RANDOM % ${#MODELS[@]}]}
echo "Using free model: $ANTHROPIC_MODEL"
 
claude "$@"

Advanced Scenarios

CI/CD Integration

.github/workflows/claude-review.yml:

name: Claude Code Review
on: [pull_request]
 
jobs:
  review:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    steps:
      - uses: actions/checkout@v3
      
      - name: Setup Claude Code
        run: |
          # Install Claude Code
          npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
          
          # Configure for CI
          echo "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://cc.yovy.app" >> $GITHUB_ENV
          echo "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=${{ secrets.OPENROUTER_KEY }}" >> $GITHUB_ENV
          echo "ANTHROPIC_MODEL=google/gemini-2.5-flash" >> $GITHUB_ENV
      
      - name: Run Code Review
        run: |
          claude review \
            --changes "${{ github.event.pull_request.diff_url }}" \
            --output review.md
      
      - name: Post Review
        uses: actions/github-script@v6
        with:
          script: |
            const review = require('fs').readFileSync('review.md', 'utf8');
            github.rest.pulls.createReview({
              ...context.repo,
              pull_number: context.issue.number,
              body: review,
              event: 'COMMENT'
            });

Docker Development Environment

Dockerfile:

FROM node:20-alpine
 
# Install Claude Code
RUN npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
 
# Configure OpenRouter
ENV ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app"
ENV ANTHROPIC_MODEL="moonshotai/kimi-k2"
 
# Add configuration
COPY .claude/settings.json /root/.claude/settings.json
 
# Custom entrypoint
COPY docker-entrypoint.sh /usr/local/bin/
RUN chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-entrypoint.sh
 
ENTRYPOINT ["docker-entrypoint.sh"]
CMD ["claude"]

docker-entrypoint.sh:

#!/bin/sh
# Pass API key from host
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="${OPENROUTER_API_KEY}"
 
# Execute claude with all arguments
exec "$@"

Multi-Project Management

# ~/.claude/project-configs.sh
 
function claude-project() {
  local project=$1
  shift  # Remove first argument
  
  case $project in
    frontend)
      ANTHROPIC_MODEL="moonshotai/kimi-k2" \
      ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="Frontend React expert" \
      claude "$@"
      ;;
    
    backend)
      ANTHROPIC_MODEL="deepseek/deepseek-r1" \
      ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="Backend Node.js expert" \
      claude "$@"
      ;;
    
    mobile)
      ANTHROPIC_MODEL="google/gemini-2.5-flash" \
      ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="React Native expert" \
      claude "$@"
      ;;
    
    *)
      echo "Unknown project: $project"
      echo "Available: frontend, backend, mobile"
      return 1
      ;;
  esac
}
 
# Usage: claude-project frontend "implement user authentication"

Project Templates

Next.js Starter

.claude/settings.json:

{
  "api_base_url": "https://cc.yovy.app",
  "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
  "project_type": "nextjs",
  "conventions": {
    "routing": "app-router",
    "styling": "tailwind",
    "components": "server-first",
    "data_fetching": "server-components"
  },
  "system_prompt": "You are working on a Next.js 14+ project using App Router, Server Components, and Tailwind CSS. Follow Next.js best practices and conventions.",
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Write|Edit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "npm run lint:fix && npm run type-check",
            "timeout": 30000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Python FastAPI

.claude/settings.json:

{
  "api_base_url": "https://cc.yovy.app",
  "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
  "project_type": "fastapi",
  "conventions": {
    "python_version": "3.11+",
    "type_hints": "required",
    "async": "preferred",
    "testing": "pytest"
  },
  "system_prompt": "You are working on a FastAPI project. Use type hints, async/await, Pydantic models, and follow FastAPI best practices.",
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Write|Edit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "black $CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS && mypy $CLAUDE_FILE_PATHS",
            "timeout": 20000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Monorepo Setup

.claude/settings.json:

{
  "api_base_url": "https://cc.yovy.app",
  "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
  "monorepo": {
    "type": "pnpm-workspace",
    "packages": {
      "apps/*": {
        "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2",
        "context": "application"
      },
      "packages/*": {
        "model": "google/gemini-2.5-flash",
        "context": "library"
      },
      "docs/*": {
        "model": "meta-llama/llama-3.1-8b",
        "context": "documentation"
      }
    }
  },
  "hooks": {
    "PostToolUse": [
      {
        "matcher": "Write|Edit",
        "hooks": [
          {
            "type": "command",
            "command": "pnpm run lint:affected && pnpm run test:affected",
            "timeout": 60000
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}

Quick Reference

Environment Variables Cheatsheet

# Essential
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://cc.yovy.app"
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-or-v1-your-key"
 
# Model Selection
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="moonshotai/kimi-k2"
export ANTHROPIC_SMALL_FAST_MODEL="google/gemini-2.5-flash"
export ANTHROPIC_BACKGROUND_MODEL="meta-llama/llama-3.1-8b"
 
# Performance
export ANTHROPIC_TIMEOUT="120000"
export ANTHROPIC_MAX_RETRIES="3"
 
# Behavior
export ANTHROPIC_TEMPERATURE="0.3"
export ANTHROPIC_MAX_TOKENS="4096"
export ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="Your custom prompt"
 
# Debug
export CLAUDE_DEBUG="true"
export Y_ROUTER_DEBUG="true"

Common Aliases

# Add to ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc
 
# Quick model switches
alias claude-free='ANTHROPIC_MODEL="moonshotai/kimi-k2" claude'
alias claude-fast='ANTHROPIC_MODEL="google/gemini-2.5-flash" claude'
alias claude-smart='ANTHROPIC_MODEL="deepseek/deepseek-r1" claude'
 
# Task-specific
alias claude-test='ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="Write comprehensive tests" claude'
alias claude-review='ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="Review code for bugs and improvements" claude'
alias claude-docs='ANTHROPIC_SYSTEM_PROMPT="Write clear documentation" claude'
 
# Cost tracking
alias claude-cost='echo "Today: $(curl -s https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/usage -H "Authorization: Bearer $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" | jq .daily_cost)"'

See Also

• OpenRouter Integration Overview
• Y-Router Setup Guide
• Configuration Reference
• Project Setup Patterns