Using Claude Code for Free
This article explains how to use Claude Code for free by running it locally. This is achieved by combining it with Ollama.
Summarize with
Claude Code Free Usage
Claude Code can be used not only via external APIs but also operated completely locally. In combination with Ollama, an open-source language model can be provided locally and used by Claude Code.
This makes it possible to use Claude Code completely free of charge.
The following explains step by step how to set up on Windows and macOS.
Prerequisites
For local operation, the following prerequisites should be met:
- A current Windows or macOS system
- Sufficient RAM for large language models
- Access to PowerShell (Windows) or Terminal (macOS)
1. Install Ollama
Ollama serves as a local model server. The installation is done via the official Ollama website and is identical for Windows and macOS. After installation, Ollama runs as a background service and provides a local API.
