Claude Code

Desktop and IDE extensions

Configuration boundaries between Claude Desktop, Code surfaces, Passion8 gateway routing, and MCP tool bridging.

“Claude Desktop” can refer to different surfaces. Identify the application before configuring it.

For CLI, IDE, Desktop, Web, Slack, CI, and review comparisons, see Platforms and integrations. For detailed workflows, see Desktop, Web, and IDE.

Do not configure consumer Claude Desktop as though it were the CLI. ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ~/.claude/settings.json configure Claude Code; they do not automatically route ordinary Desktop chat through Passion8.

#Choose the correct surface

Surface	Passion8 suitability	Use
Claude Code CLI	Recommended	Terminal development, scripts, long repository tasks
Claude Code IDE/VS Code	Recommended	Editor-based development
Code in Desktop	Depends on organization configuration	Graphical session management
Desktop MCP bridge	Optional tool bridge, not gateway routing	Call local Code tools from Desktop
Consumer Desktop chat	Not the default Passion8 connection method	General chat

#Recommended: Claude Code CLI

The CLI has the clearest gateway configuration and diagnostics.

export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://passion8.cc"
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="sk-YOUR_PASSION8_API_KEY"
claude -p "Describe the current directory in one sentence"

For persistent use:

~/.claude/settings.json

{
  "env": {
    "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://passion8.cc",
    "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "sk-YOUR_PASSION8_API_KEY"
  }
}

Share team rules in project settings, but keep personal keys in user settings or local environment variables.

#VS Code and IDE extensions

An IDE may not inherit your shell environment. Configure the extension in its user settings:

VS Code settings.json

{
  "claudeCode.environmentVariables": [
    { "name": "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL", "value": "https://passion8.cc" },
    { "name": "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN", "value": "sk-YOUR_PASSION8_API_KEY" }
  ]
}

If the IDE exposes a Claude Code terminal, check:

echo $ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL
claude doctor

The endpoint should be https://passion8.cc. Do not print the token.

#Code in Desktop

The official Desktop gateway route is configured through supported organization/administrator distribution, not merely by exporting a terminal variable.

For personal Passion8 access, start with CLI or IDE.
For team-managed Desktop, follow the administrator's gateway setup.
If uncertain about Desktop routing, first establish a working CLI request.

A functioning official Desktop account does not prove Passion8 routing. Verify the configured gateway and the corresponding Passion8 usage records.

#Consumer Claude Desktop

Consumer Desktop is an account client, not a generic third-party Anthropic-compatible client. Connecting MCP tools does not replace its model backend.

For Passion8 model requests, use CLI/IDE or a separately supported Desktop gateway configuration. For local tool access from Desktop chat, use the bridge below.

#Desktop MCP bridge

This exposes local Claude Code tools to Desktop; it does not reroute Desktop's own model requests.

Confirm the stdio server starts:

claude mcp serve

Add it to Desktop MCP configuration:

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "claude-code": {
      "command": "claude",
      "args": ["mcp", "serve"],
      "env": {
        "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://passion8.cc",
        "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "sk-YOUR_PASSION8_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Desktop and confirm claude-code is connected in its tool list.

These environment values affect only the spawned MCP process. Desktop's own generation route depends on its separate gateway configuration.

#Troubleshooting order

Test the CLI first

claude -p "ping"

If it fails, see Installation and Troubleshooting.

Then test the IDE

Check claudeCode.environmentVariables and restart the editor if needed.

Finally test Desktop

Confirm actual gateway configuration and Passion8 usage rather than inferring routing from a successful chat.

#Official references

#Continue reading

Installation and configurationStandard CLI setup for Passion8.Platforms and integrationsCompare runtime locations and provider boundaries.Cost and cachingReduce repeated tokens and keep workflows stable.

PreviousHeadless mode NextDesktop, Web, and IDE workflows

Support

Need help?

For setup, billing, or model issues, email us. Check the status page for uptime.

Support Email[email protected]Service Statusstatus.passion8.cc

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