---
name: anthropic
description: Guide users through obtaining an Anthropic API key to power the public agent.
---

# Anthropic / Claude Setup

The public agent runs on the Anthropic API. This plugin handles obtaining, storing, and verifying an API key from the Anthropic Console (platform.claude.com).

## When to activate

- Prerequisites check detects missing Anthropic API key (via `api-key-verify` tool)
- User asks how to connect Claude, get an Anthropic key, or set up their AI
- BOOTSTRAP detects no working Anthropic API connection
- User sees an API authentication error
- User wants to rotate or replace their API key

## What it unlocks

- Claude as the AI model powering the public agent — conversations, reasoning, and tool use
- Pay-per-use via Anthropic API key

## Shared module

API key management is centralised in `platform/lib/anthropic-key/` — all consumers (claude-agent.ts, admin MCP, email scripts, health route) import `readKey()`, `writeKey()`, `hasKey()`, and `validateKey()` from this module instead of inlining the env-var-then-file lookup pattern.

## Skills

| Task | When to use | Skill |
|------|-------------|-------|
| Obtain API key | `api-key-verify` returns `missing` or user wants to rotate key | `skills/get-api-key/SKILL.md` |

## References

| Topic | When to use | Reference |
|-------|-------------|-----------|
| Troubleshooting & FAQ | API key rejected, billing questions, manual key entry | `references/setup-guide.md` |
| Console API surface | Understanding the endpoints used by the get-api-key skill | `references/console-api.md` |

For API key acquisition (including during onboarding), use the `skills/get-api-key/SKILL.md` skill. For troubleshooting and common questions, load the reference.
