A paid Claude plan does not include API access.

Claude Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans cover Claude on the web, desktop and mobile; API usage is billed separately through the Console. Max and Team plans include monthly API credits if you link a Console organization to the plan.

Before you start

• You need a Claude Console account at platform.claude.com. If you don't have one, you can create it when you sign in.
• The Console uses prepaid credits. Buy credits before you call the API. When credits run out, the API stops working until you buy more.
• Vietnam is on Anthropic's list of supported countries and territories.

Steps to get a key

Sign in to the Claude Console

Go to platform.claude.com and sign in, or create a new account.

Add credits

Open the Billing page in the Console and buy credits. You can turn on Auto-reload to buy more automatically when your balance falls below a threshold you set. This step needs the Admin or Billing role in your organization. Purchased credits expire one year after purchase and are non-refundable.

Open the API keys page

Go directly to platform.claude.com/settings/keys.

Create a key

Click Create key. Name the key, for example "ResearchGangs - personal", choose an expiration, and set Linked account to yourself (a personal key). You can also pick a workspace to scope the key.

Copy and store the key

The Console shows the full key only once, when you create it. It starts with sk-ant-. Copy it right away and keep it somewhere safe, such as a password manager.

Paste the key into ResearchGangs

Open the AI assistant in ResearchGangs, choose Claude, paste the key, add a label and click Connect. See Connect AI to ResearchGangs for details.

If you lose the key, you can't view it again.

If you close the page before copying it, create a new key.

Troubleshooting

The Create key button is disabled

Your role in the organization may not allow creating keys. Ask an organization admin to change your role or to create a key for you.

ResearchGangs can't use AI even though it is connected

Open Billing in the Console and check your credit balance. When credits run out, the API stops working until you buy more. If the key has expired, create a new one and update it in ResearchGangs.

The key is lost or may have leaked

Create a new key on the API keys page, update it in ResearchGangs, then disable or delete the old key in the Console. See also Protect your API key.

Official sources

• Get your Claude API key (Claude Platform Docs)
• Authentication: key types and expiration (Claude Platform Docs)
• How do I pay for my Claude API usage? (Claude Help Center)
• Why do I have to pay separately to use the Claude API and Console? (Claude Help Center)
• Supported Regions Policy (Anthropic)

Checked against the provider's documentation on 28/10/2026. Their interface may change over time.