Getting an Anthropic (Claude) Key
Connecting NorthSignal to Anthropic gives you access to the Claude family of models, including Claude Sonnet 4.5 — widely considered the most capable model for coding and complex analysis.
What Models Does This Unlock?
| Model | Best For | Speed |
|---|---|---|
Claude Sonnet 4.5 | Coding, debugging, complex reasoning, data analysis | ⚡ Fast |
Claude Haiku 4.5 | Quick lightweight tasks, summaries | ⚡⚡ Fastest |
Step 1: Log into the Anthropic Console
Anthropic has a separate developer portal distinct from the consumer claude.ai website.
- Go to console.anthropic.com
- Create an account or log in with Google.
Step 2: Add Billing Information
You are only charged per message you send — no monthly fees.
- In the console, click on Settings in the left sidebar.
- Navigate to the Billing section.
- Click Add payment method and enter your credit card.
- Fund your account with an initial balance — we recommend $5 to start.
How Much Will It Cost?
| Usage Level | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Casual (a few chats/day) | $1 – $5 |
| Moderate (daily use, code reviews) | $5 – $15 |
| Heavy (large codebases, long analysis) | $15 – $30 |
tip
Claude's Sonnet model offers an excellent balance between quality and cost. For most users, it's the best value in the industry for coding tasks.
Step 3: Generate the Key
- In the Anthropic console, find API Keys in the left navigation.
- Click the Create Key button.
- Give your key a descriptive name, such as
NorthSignal. - Confirm to create the key.
Step 4: Copy the Key
A popup will reveal a long string beginning with sk-ant-. This is your unique API Key.
- Click the Copy icon next to the key.
warning
Anthropic will never show you this full key again for security reasons. Copy it immediately.
Step 5: Paste it into NorthSignal
- Go back to NorthSignal.
- Click the Settings (Gear Icon) in the bottom left.
- Click the Anthropic tab.
- Paste your key and click Save Settings.
You're done! You can now use Claude models in NorthSignal.