Claude Code Setup

Claude Code is Anthropic's AI coding assistant. You can use it with either an API key or by logging in with your Anthropic account.

Install and Configure

Open a terminal (Terminal on macOS/Linux, PowerShell on Windows) and run the following commands.

1. Install claude-agent-acp:

npm install -g @agentclientprotocol/claude-agent-acp

2. Find the installation path:

macOS/Linux

which claude-agent-acp
# Example output: /usr/local/bin/claude-agent-acp

Windows

where.exe claude-agent-acp
# Example output: C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\npm\claude-agent-acp.cmd

3. Open Settings → Agent Client. The default command (claude-agent-acp) works in many cases. If the agent is not found automatically, set the Claude Code path to the path found above, or click Auto-detect.

Authentication

Choose one of the following methods:

Option A: API Key

1. Get your API key from Anthropic Console
2. Open Settings → Agent Client → Built-in agents → Claude Code → API key
3. Click the Link... button next to the API key field
4. In the Select secret dialog:
   • To use an existing secret: select it from the list and click Save
   • To create a new one: click Add secret..., enter an ID (lowercase letters, numbers, and dashes only — e.g., claude-api-key), paste your API key, then click Save

Once linked, the field shows the masked secret value with a Change button to swap secrets.

Managing secrets

API keys are stored in Obsidian's Keychain (Settings → Keychain). You can rename, edit, or delete secrets there at any time. The same secret can be shared across plugins by referencing the same ID.

Upgrading from a previous version

If you previously stored your Claude API key in this plugin (v0.10.x or earlier), it is automatically migrated to Obsidian's Keychain as claude-api-key the first time you load the upgraded plugin. A one-time notification confirms the migration.

If claude-api-key is already in use by another plugin with a different value, your key is preserved under agent-client-claude-api-key instead. You can rename it from Settings → Keychain if you prefer.

Option B: Account Login

If you have a Claude subscription and prefer not to use an API key, you can log in with your Anthropic account.

Important

This requires installing Claude Code CLI separately. The CLI creates the login session that the plugin uses.

1. Install Claude Code CLI by running the following command in your terminal:

macOS/Linux

curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

Windows

irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

2. Login via CLI by running:

claude

Follow the prompts to authenticate with your Anthropic account.

3. In Settings → Agent Client, leave the API key field empty.

TIP

The Claude Desktop app uses a different authentication system. Having Claude Desktop running does not authenticate the plugin — you must log in via the CLI.

Verify Setup

1. Click the robot icon in the ribbon or use the command palette: "Open chat view"
2. You should see the chat panel open and connect to Claude Code
3. Try sending a message to verify the connection

Having issues? See Troubleshooting.