The Claude API is a RESTful API at
https://wisdom-gate.juheapi.com that provides programmatic access to Claude models. The primary API is the Messages API (POST /v1/messages) for conversational interactions.
New to Claude? Start with Get started for prerequisites and your first API call, or see Working with Messages for request/response patterns and examples.
Prerequisites
To use the Claude API, you’ll need: For step-by-step setup instructions, see Get started.Available APIs
The Claude API includes the following APIs: General Availability:- Messages API: Send messages to Claude for conversational interactions (
POST /v1/messages) - Message Batches API: Process large volumes of Messages requests asynchronously with 50% cost reduction (
POST /v1/messages/batches) - Token Counting API: Count tokens in a message before sending to manage costs and rate limits (
POST /v1/messages/count_tokens) - Models API: List available Claude models and their details (
GET /v1/models)
- Files API: Upload and manage files for use across multiple API calls (
POST /v1/files,GET /v1/files) - Skills API: Create and manage custom agent skills (
POST /v1/skills,GET /v1/skills)
Authentication
All requests to the Claude API must include these headers:| Header | Value | Required |
|---|---|---|
Authorization | Bearer $WISDOM_GATE_KEY | Yes |
content-type | application/json | Yes |
Getting API Keys
The API is made available via the web Console. You can generate API keys in Account Settings. Use workspaces to segment your API keys and control spend by use case.Client SDKs
Anthropic provides official SDKs that simplify API integration by handling authentication, request formatting, error handling, and more. Benefits:- Automatic header management (x-api-key, anthropic-version, content-type)
- Type-safe request and response handling
- Built-in retry logic and error handling
- Streaming support
- Request timeouts and connection management
Claude API vs Third-Party Platforms
Claude is available through Anthropic’s direct API and through partner platforms. Choose based on your infrastructure, compliance requirements, and pricing preferences.Claude API
- Direct access to the latest models and features first
- Anthropic billing and support
- Best for: New integrations, full feature access, direct relationship with Anthropic
Third-Party Platform APIs
Access Claude through AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure:- Integrated with cloud provider billing and IAM
- May have feature delays or differences from the direct API
- Best for: Existing cloud commitments, specific compliance requirements, consolidated cloud billing
| Platform | Provider | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon Bedrock | AWS | Claude on Amazon Bedrock |
| Vertex AI | Google Cloud | Claude on Vertex AI |
| Azure AI | Microsoft Azure | Claude on Azure AI |
For feature availability across platforms, see the Features overview.
Request and Response Format
Request Size Limits
The API has different maximum request sizes depending on the endpoint:
If you exceed these limits, you’ll receive a 413
request_too_large error.
Response Headers
The Claude API includes the following headers in every response:request-id: A globally unique identifier for the requestanthropic-organization-id: The organization ID associated with the API key used in the request
Rate Limits and Availability
Rate Limits
The API enforces rate limits and spend limits to prevent misuse and manage capacity. Limits are organized into usage tiers that increase automatically as you use the API. Each tier has:- Spend limits: Maximum monthly cost for API usage
- Rate limits: Maximum number of requests per minute (RPM) and tokens per minute (TPM)
Availability
The Claude API is available in many countries and regions worldwide. Check the supported regions page to confirm availability in your location.Basic Example
Here’s a minimal request using the Messages API:Next Steps
Get started
Prerequisites, step-by-step tutorial, and examples in multiple languages
Working with Messages
Request/response patterns, multi-turn conversations, and best practices
Messages API Reference
Complete API specification: parameters, responses, and error codes
Client SDKs
Installation guides for Python, TypeScript, Java, Go, C#, Ruby, and PHP
Features overview
Explore capabilities: caching, vision, tool use, streaming, and more
Rate limits
Usage tiers, spend limits, and rate limiting with token bucket algorithm