# Continue setup

Continue is an open-source AI assistant for VS Code and JetBrains. Add Claudech models to its `config.yaml` with the `openai` provider and a custom `apiBase`.

## Before you start

- **A Claudech API key** from [API keys](https://claudech.com/api-keys). API access unlocks after your first purchase.

## Configuration

Edit `~/.continue/config.yaml` (or open it from Continue's settings):

```yaml
models:
  - name: Claude Opus 5.5
    provider: openai
    model: claude-opus-5-5
    apiBase: https://api.claudech.com/v1
    apiKey: sk-...
    roles: [chat, edit, apply]
  - name: Claude Fable 5.1
    provider: openai
    model: claude-fable-5-1
    apiBase: https://api.claudech.com/v1
    apiKey: sk-...
    roles: [chat]
  - name: Claude Sonnet 5
    provider: openai
    model: claude-sonnet-5
    apiBase: https://api.claudech.com/v1
    apiKey: sk-...
    roles: [autocomplete]
```

Reload the window and pick a Claudech model in the chat panel's model selector.

## Things to know

- **Embeddings.** Claudech does not offer an embeddings endpoint. Keep Continue's default embeddings provider for codebase indexing; chat and edits still run on Claudech.
- **Keys in files.** If you share the config, use Continue's secrets support instead of pasting the key.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| `401` or "invalid API key" | Re-copy the key without spaces; check it is active under **API keys** |
| `404 model_not_found` | `model` must be the Claudech model id exactly |
| Requests go to OpenAI | `apiBase` is missing or misspelled; it must be `https://api.claudech.com/v1` |
| `402 insufficient_balance` | Top up under [Billing](https://claudech.com/billing) |

See [all integrations](https://claudech.com/docs/integrations) for other editors. Claudech is an independent service and is not affiliated with the makers of Continue.

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Source: https://claudech.com/docs/integrations/continue