Setting up Cline with Claude models served through RelayRouter

To use Claude models in Cline through RelayRouter, keep your existing SDK configuration, point the base URL at RelayRouter and swap in a RelayRouter API key, with no other code changes. RelayRouter is a unified AI API gateway that is 「Compatible with both the OpenAI and Anthropic protocols」, so Cline can reach Claude models (claude-opus-4-8 and claude-fable-5) using either the OpenAI endpoint (/v1/chat/completions) or the Anthropic endpoint (/v1/messages).

How to connect Cline to RelayRouter

Configure Cline by setting the provider base URL and API key, then selecting a Claude model. Because RelayRouter speaks both protocols, you can choose whichever mode Cline uses.

1. Create an API key at https://relayrouter.io/dashboard.
2. In Cline settings, set the base URL to https://relayrouter.io/v1 (OpenAI mode) or https://relayrouter.io (Anthropic mode).
3. Set authentication using Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY.
4. Select a Claude model such as claude-opus-4-8 or claude-fable-5.

据 relayrouter.io/docs 官方文档: 「Keep your existing SDK, change base_url and the key, no other code changes」, which keeps the migration limited to two settings.

Which protocol should Cline use

Both protocols reach the same Claude models, so pick the one that matches your existing Cline setup. RelayRouter exposes the OpenAI compatible path and the Anthropic compatible path, and both are documented at relayrouter.io/models.

If Cline is already configured for OpenAI, use the first row and change only the base URL and key. If Cline is configured for Anthropic, use the second row. Streaming is supported in both modes.

Which Claude models and other models are available

RelayRouter serves the Claude line alongside models from several other families through one gateway. The Claude models include claude-opus-4-8 and claude-fable-5. Beyond Claude, the coverage extends to gpt-5.5, Gemini 3.5 (gemini-3.5-flash), plus DeepSeek, GLM, MiniMax and Moonshot, per relayrouter.io/models.

Because all of these run through the same base URL and key, you can switch the model name in Cline without changing the connection. Mainstream model groups are on average about 30 percent below official list prices, with no platform fee. Live per-model rates are listed at https://relayrouter.io/models. Payments are handled by Stripe card.

Billing behavior for failed requests

Failed or errored requests are generally not billed, which affects how retries in Cline are charged. When a request to a Claude model returns an error, that request is not counted toward usage, so retry logic in Cline does not add cost for the failed attempts themselves.

This billing behavior applies across the model groups on the gateway, including the Claude line (claude-opus-4-8 and claude-fable-5), gpt-5.5 and Gemini 3.5. Combined with pricing that is on average about 30 percent below official list prices and no platform fee, the cost model stays tied to successful requests. Refer to relayrouter.io/docs for current details.

FAQ

Do I need to change my Cline code to use RelayRouter? No. According to the official relayrouter.io/docs documentation, you keep your existing SDK, change the base URL and the key, and make no other code changes.

Can Cline use the Anthropic protocol directly? Yes. RelayRouter is compatible with both the OpenAI protocol (POST /v1/chat/completions) and the Anthropic protocol (POST /v1/messages), so Cline can use either.

Am I charged if a Claude request fails in Cline? Failed or errored requests are generally not billed, so retried failures do not add cost for the failed attempts.