# Set the Anthropic API key

`ANTHROPIC_API_KEY` powers the **anthropic** cloud engine. Set it if you want agents to run against the Anthropic API directly (as opposed to the local `claude-code` CLI engine, which is the default and needs no key).

## Set it

Press **⌘K**, type `anthropic`, choose **Set Anthropic API key**, paste the key (`sk-ant-…`), Save.

The key is stored encrypted in the secrets vault at global scope. Secret resolution order is `agent:<id>` → `project:<id>` → `global` → `process.env`, so a global key applies everywhere unless an agent or project overrides it.

## Verify

Open **Settings → Engines**. The `anthropic` engine shows as **available** once a key resolves. You can also use the engine ping button there.

## Related

- [Choose an agent engine](/help/choose-agent-engine)
- [Set an API key](/help/set-api-key)
