Use Claude Code/Cowork for Free with Desktop APP 2026 (No GPU, No Ollama, No API Credits)

Links:

OpenCode API Model Changer : https://github.com/CompileFutureYT/OpenCode-API-Model-Changer

OpenCode FREE Zen API: https://opencode.ai/zen

OpenCode FREE Model List: https://opencode.ai/docs/zen#endpoints

Download Claude Desktop App: https://claude.com/download

FULL Tutorial:

Want to use Claude Code completely free in 2026? In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn exactly how to connect the official Claude Code desktop app to a free third-party API — no GPU required, no Ollama, and no expensive Anthropic API credits.

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Why Most “Free Claude Code” Methods Don’t Work

If you’ve been searching for a way to use Claude Code for free, you’ve probably already come across two popular methods:

• Ollama — runs AI models locally, but requires a high-end GPU that most people don’t have.
• Nvidia NIM — cloud-based inference, but not available in many countries and extremely slow on regular PCs.

And nearly every tutorial out there still tells you to set everything up through the terminal CLI, which is a barrier for anyone who prefers a graphical interface.

This guide covers a completely different method that works around all of those limitations.

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The New Method: Claude Code Desktop App + OpenCode Zen API

Anthropic recently added a major new feature to the Claude Code desktop app: support for third-party API integrations. This means you can now connect Claude Cowork — the official Claude desktop application — to any compatible AI provider, including free ones.

The free provider we’ll be using is OpenCode Zen, which currently offers the MiniMax M2.5 Free model at no cost. These free models may be available for a limited time, so use them while they’re accessible.

Claude Cowork is the official desktop app from Anthropic. It includes Claude Chat, Claude Code, and Claude Cowork — all in one place.

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What You’ll Need

• A free OpenCode account
• The Claude Code desktop app (macOS or Windows)
• Node.js installed on your machine
• A terminal (Terminal, Git Bash, or PowerShell)

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Step-by-Step: Claude Code Free Setup with OpenCode Zen

Step 1: Sign Up on OpenCode and Get Your API Key

1. Go to the OpenCode website (link in the video description).
2. Click on Zen, then click Login and sign in or create a free account.
3. After logging in, you’ll see MiniMax M2.5 Free listed as an available model.
4. Navigate to API Keys and click Create API Key.
5. Give it any name (e.g., “CC”) and click Create.
6. Copy the API key — you’ll need it shortly.

All links and commands used in this tutorial are available in the video description for easy copy-paste.

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Step 2: Download and Install the Claude Code Desktop App

1. Go to the official Anthropic website and download the Claude Code desktop app.
   • macOS: Download the macOS version.
   • Windows: Download the Windows version.
   • Linux: Use the CLI tool or install the VS Code extension.
2. Install the application after downloading.

Already using Claude Code as a VS Code extension? There’s a separate video covering that setup.

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Step 3: Enable Developer Mode in Claude Cowork

This is the key step that unlocks third-party API support:

1. Open the Claude desktop app and click Get Started.
2. Sign in with your free Anthropic account.
3. Go to the Help menu → Troubleshooting.
4. Find the option “Enable Developer Mode” and click to enable it.
5. Restart the app.
6. After restarting, you’ll see a new Developer option in the top menu bar.

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Step 4: Configure the Third-Party Integration

1. Click on the Developer menu option.
2. Select Configure Third-Party Integrations.
3. You’ll now be able to add external models — local models, API-based models, or anything compatible.
4. Enter your OpenCode API key in the API key field.
5. Select X API as the authentication method.

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Step 5: Get the Base URL Using the OpenCode API Model Changer

To connect Claude to OpenCode, you need a local gateway that translates the API format. Here’s how to set it up:

1. Find the OpenCode API Model Changer repo link in the video description (it’s a GitHub repo from the channel — feel free to star it).
2. Scroll down to “Run locally with HTTPS”.
3. Copy the git clone command.

Install Node.js first if you haven’t already. There are separate tutorials on the channel covering Node.js installation for both Mac and Windows.

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Step 6: Clone the Repo and Start the Server

Open your terminal (Terminal on macOS, Git Bash or PowerShell on Windows) and run the following:

<span class="hljs-comment"># Create and navigate to a new folder</span>
mkdir <span class="hljs-keyword">my</span>-opencode-api &amp;&amp; cd <span class="hljs-keyword">my</span>-opencode-api

<span class="hljs-comment"># Clone the repo (paste the command you copied)</span>
git clone &lt;repo-url&gt;

<span class="hljs-comment"># Navigate into the cloned folder</span>
cd opencode-api-model-changer   <span class="hljs-comment"># press Tab to autocomplete</span>

<span class="hljs-comment"># Install dependencies</span>
npm install

<span class="hljs-comment"># Start the development server</span>
npm <span class="hljs-built_in">run</span> dev

Trust the Local HTTPS Certificate

For HTTPS to work locally, you need to trust a self-signed certificate. The repo provides the exact commands for both macOS and Windows — just copy and paste each one into your terminal in order.

Note: You are NOT running any AI model locally. The server simply acts as a gateway between Claude and the OpenCode API.

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Step 7: Copy the Gateway URL into Claude

Once the development server is running:

1. Copy the local HTTPS URL that appears in your terminal.
2. Go back to the Claude desktop app.
3. Paste the URL as the Gateway Base URL in the third-party configuration settings.

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Step 8: Add Your Free Model

1. Go to the OpenCode website → Zen → browse the model list.
2. Click Learn More to see all available model names.
3. Any model with “free” listed next to it can be used at no cost.
4. The best option currently available: MiniMax M2.5 Free.
5. Copy the model name.
6. In the Claude desktop app, click Add in the model list.
7. Paste the model name into the field.
8. Click Apply Locally, then Relaunch.

Claude will restart with your new configuration applied.

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How to Use It Every Day

Each time you want to use this free setup, simply:

1. Open your terminal.
2. Navigate to the cloned folder.
3. Run npm run dev to start the gateway server.
4. Open the Claude desktop app — Claude Code and Cowork will be ready to use.

Select any project folder, open it in Claude Cowork, and start coding.

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Switching Back to Your Anthropic Account

If you have a Claude Pro plan and want to switch back to your paid Anthropic account:

1. Click on Cowork 3P in the app.
2. Click Sign Out of the third-party configuration.
3. You’ll be given the option to switch back to your Anthropic account or stay with the local configuration.

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Is This Truly Free and Unlimited?

The free models on OpenCode Zen are free as long as OpenCode makes them available. Usage limits are determined by OpenCode based on server traffic — there are no publicly stated hard limits at the time of writing. Since these offers can change, use them while they’re available.

This channel regularly covers new free AI coding methods and updates whenever offers change — subscribe to stay informed.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a powerful GPU for this setup? No. You are not running any model locally. The gateway server just routes your requests to OpenCode’s cloud API, so any regular PC or Mac will work.

Does this work on Windows? Yes. The process is the same. Use Git Bash or PowerShell instead of Terminal, and follow the Windows-specific certificate commands from the repo.

What if MiniMax M2.5 Free is no longer available? OpenCode Zen lists all available free models. Look for any model with “free” next to its name and use that instead.

Can I use this with VS Code instead of the desktop app? The third-party API feature covered here is specific to the Claude Code desktop app. For VS Code, there is a separate setup covered in a different video on this channel.

Is this against Anthropic’s terms of service? Claude explicitly supports third-party platform integrations in the desktop app — this is an official feature, not a workaround. See the official announcement for details.

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Conclusion

With Claude’s new third-party API support in the desktop app, you can now get a fully functional Claude Code free experience in 2026 — no GPU, no Ollama, and no subscription required. By connecting Claude Cowork to OpenCode Zen’s MiniMax M2.5 Free model through a local HTTPS gateway, you get real AI-assisted coding inside any project folder.

Watch the video for a live demonstration of the full setup and testing.

• Free Claude Code alternative? Watch the video on the left.
• Full Claude Code walkthrough in under 30 minutes? Watch the video on the right.

Until next time — Keep Compiling the Future.