How do I get Claude API access?
Overview
To get Claude API access (how apps connect to Claude), buy credits on the Claude Console website. It's a separate purchase: Chat, Cowork and Code come with your Syracuse account, so you don't need the API for Claude Code. Faculty and staff can use a University business credit card; students pay with their own funds.
Steps
Go to platform.claude.com (opens in a new tab) and sign in with your Syracuse email address, not a personal account. With your Syracuse sign-in, you stay under SU's agreement with Anthropic, so Anthropic doesn't use your data for training.
Choose Individual when you set up your Console account.
Click Buy Credits and buy only the amount you expect to use.
Faculty and staff: to pay with a University business credit card, use it when you buy credits.
Students: pay with your own funds, such as a personal credit card.
Additional information
- You lose any unused credits when your Syracuse Claude access ends after you graduate or leave SU.
- Buying API credits doesn't add to your Claude chat usage. Hit your limit? See checking your usage and limits.
- To connect an app, create an API key (a password your app uses) in the Console after you buy credits.
Official links
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