---
title: Claude Desktop
---


[Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) is Anthropic's desktop client. It has a built-in "third-party inference" option, so once you point its gateway at CrossModel you can use the whole catalog right from the desktop app.

## Quickstart

Claude Desktop is configured entirely through its UI — no config files or environment variables.

### 1. Create an API key

Sign in to the [Console](/console/api-keys) and create a key that starts with `cm-` on the **API Keys** page. The key is shown only once, so copy it somewhere safe.

### 2. Enable Developer Mode

Open Claude Desktop and go to **Help → Troubleshooting** in the menu bar, then choose **Enable Developer Mode** to unlock the developer menu.

### 3. Configure third-party inference

From the menu bar, go to **Developer → Configure Third-Party Inference…** and fill in:

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Backend | `Gateway (Anthropic-compatible)` |
| Gateway base URL | `https://api.crossmodel.ai` |
| Gateway API key | your `cm-` key |
| Gateway auth scheme | `bearer` |

Click **Apply locally** to save.

### 4. Restart and pick the gateway

Quit Claude Desktop completely, reopen it, and choose **Continue with Gateway** on launch.

### 5. Choose a model

Pick a CrossModel model from the model selector and start chatting.

## How it works

By default Claude Desktop connects to Anthropic's service. Once third-party inference is configured, every request from the desktop app goes to CrossModel's `/v1/messages` endpoint, authenticated with your `cm-` key via the `bearer` scheme.

Set the gateway base URL to `https://api.crossmodel.ai` — without a trailing `/v1`. The client appends `/v1/messages` for you.

## Choosing models

Once connected, the model selector lists the models currently available on CrossModel. See the full list in the [model catalog](/models).

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | What to check |
|---------|---------------|
| No "Continue with Gateway" option on launch | Make sure you fully quit and restarted Claude Desktop. |
| Connection fails | Verify the gateway base URL is `https://api.crossmodel.ai`, auth scheme is `bearer`, and the key is valid. |
| Empty model selector | Confirm your account has balance and that you clicked **Apply locally**. |
| Insufficient balance | Top up in the [Console](/console/billing). |