# How to buy Claude API credits Claude API credits pay for requests from applications, coding tools and automations. On AI Prime Tech, start with the current top-up offer, complete payment in your own account, and verify your key and model before connecting a tool. This guide explains what to check at each step. ## What you are buying Prepaid credits are a balance used for API requests. AI Prime Tech is an independent gateway with its own account and billing; buying gateway credit does not create an Anthropic account or include a claude.ai Pro or Max subscription. If your goal is the Claude chat app, compare [API access and subscriptions](/learn/claude-api-vs-subscription/) first. If your goal is Claude Code, an IDE integration or a server application, check the supported API format and models for that workflow. ## Create your gateway account [Register with AI Prime Tech](/register) and complete the verification requested during signup. Use this account to manage your payments, balance, plans and API keys. For an evaluation before committing to ongoing usage, check the [current trial and welcome-offer guide](/learn/claude-api-free-trial/). Offers are conditional and can change; use the terms displayed at signup. ## Review the top-up and checkout terms Open the [API credits page](/topup/) and review how much API usage the selected payment buys. Compare the payment amount and credited balance separately; they need not be the same number. The checkout shows the currently available payment methods, minimum amount and any applicable bonus. Payment-method bonuses and first-top-up offers can produce different credited amounts, so compare the final quote rather than assuming every method grants the same balance. Complete the payment and confirm the balance in your dashboard before making API requests. Confirmation time depends on the payment route. If a payment remains pending, check its status before submitting another payment and use the [support and refund information](/legal/refund). ## Create a key and verify access Open API Keys in the dashboard, create a key for the application, and check that its selected group and restrictions match your purchased access. Copy the key into a local environment variable or secret manager using the dashboard's available controls. Follow [how to get and test a Claude API key](/learn/how-to-get-a-claude-api-key/) to request `GET /v1/models`, select an exact model ID and make a small first request. A successful payment alone does not confirm the model, endpoint and client configuration. For the Anthropic Python SDK, the gateway base URL is `https://aiprimetech.io`. OpenAI-compatible clients normally use `https://aiprimetech.io/v1`. Use the [integration guide for your tool](/learn/) and verify its API format. ## When a timed plan may fit better Prepaid credits suit occasional work and applications where usage varies. A timed plan may fit a period of sustained coding or another eligible workload when you prefer a fixed price for that period. Compare your recorded usage for a representative day or week with the [current plan prices and durations](/plans/). Check eligible models, fair-use limits and the activation period. The [unlimited access explanation](/learn/unlimited-claude-api-access/) describes those boundaries. The currently published timed plans are one-time purchases without automatic renewal. Review the plan and checkout terms before each purchase; this guide does not quote a fixed price that could outlive the offer. ## After your first request Check the request history and balance in the dashboard. Confirm that the request used the intended model and billing route before starting long agent runs or increasing concurrency. Use separate application keys where practical, choose an appropriate model, and monitor usage. The [API pricing guide](/learn/claude-api-pricing-explained/) explains input and output tokens; the [token-usage guide](/learn/how-to-reduce-claude-token-usage/) covers ways to reduce unnecessary requests. Ready to connect a coding tool? Use the [AI agent setup checklist](/agents/) to keep the key group, model and API format aligned. ## FAQ ### Where can I buy Claude API credits? For this gateway, [create an account](/register) and use the [top-up page](/topup/). For direct Anthropic billing, use the Claude Console. Keep the account, API key and endpoint for the selected provider together. ### What is the minimum top-up? Check the amount currently displayed on the [top-up page](/topup/) and at checkout. The available payment routes and offers can change. ### Can I pay with crypto or a bank card? The payment methods currently available to your account appear at checkout. Compare the final credited amount and any method-specific or first-top-up offer before paying. ### Do credits expire or renew automatically? The [current top-up terms](/topup/) describe prepaid credits as remaining until spent, with no subscription or automatic renewal. Review the terms shown with your purchase. ### Is this the same as buying a Claude account? No. You create your own AI Prime Tech account and gateway API key. This purchase provides API usage and does not include a shared claude.ai login or an Anthropic subscription. ### How do I choose credits or an unlimited plan? Compare measured usage over the same period with the [current timed plans](/plans/), including their eligible models and fair-use limits. Use the [unlimited access guide](/learn/unlimited-claude-api-access/) to check whether a plan fits your workflow. --- Source: https://aiprimetech.io/learn/buy-claude-api-credits/ Provider: AI Prime Tech — independent Anthropic-compatible API gateway (not affiliated with Anthropic).