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Overview

Claude Desktop Claude Desktop is Anthropic’s official desktop app for using Claude locally. This guide explains how to connect Claude Desktop to EvoLink API and use EvoLink to access models compatible with the Anthropic Messages API. This guide covers:
  • Installing Claude Desktop
  • Enabling Developer Mode
  • Configuring the EvoLink connection
  • Restarting and selecting a model

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Prerequisites

Before you start, prepare your EvoLink API Key.
  • Log in to the EvoLink Console
  • Find API Keys in the console, click Create New Key, then copy the generated key
  • API keys usually start with sk-; keep them safe

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Step 1: Download Claude Desktop

Visit the Claude Desktop download page and install the version for your operating system.
Tip: If Claude Desktop is not installed yet, complete the installation before continuing.
Claude Desktop Download Page

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After installation

After installation, confirm that Claude Desktop starts normally.

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Step 2: Enable Developer Mode

After launching Claude Desktop, click Help → Troubleshooting and enable Developer Mode in the dialog.Once enabled, a Developer menu entry appears for third-party inference configuration.
Tip: If you do not see the Developer entry, confirm that your Claude Desktop version supports Developer Mode and third-party inference settings.
Claude Desktop Help Menu Troubleshooting
Claude Desktop Developer Menu

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Step 3: Open Third-Party Inference Settings

In the Developer menu, open the third-party inference panel and fill it in as shown below:
Note: If the field names in your Claude Desktop version are slightly different, use the actual interface labels, but keep the meaning the same.
Claude Desktop Third-Party Inference Settings

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Step 4: Save and Restart

After saving the configuration, fully quit Claude Desktop, then launch it again.
Claude Desktop Relaunch Dialog
After restarting, Claude Desktop should use the new third-party inference configuration. Expected result: After launch, you should see the available model list and requests should be routed through EvoLink.

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Step 5: Choose a Model

After restarting, check the model selector to confirm that the available models appear correctly.

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How It Works

Claude Desktop communicates with EvoLink through an Anthropic-compatible gateway:
  1. Claude Desktop sends requests to the gateway address you configured.
  2. EvoLink receives the request and forwards it to the corresponding model service.
  3. After the response returns, Claude Desktop continues showing the conversation locally.
No extra local proxy is required.

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Supported Models

If you want to restrict the visible models in Model list, you can use the following model IDs.

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FAQ

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Developer menu does not appear

Confirm that Developer Mode is enabled and that Claude Desktop has been fully restarted.

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I cannot connect after configuring it

Check the following:
  • Whether the base URL is correct
  • Whether the API key is valid
  • Whether the authentication scheme is bearer
  • Whether Claude Desktop has been fully closed and reopened

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I cannot see any models

Confirm that your account and network are working normally, then check whether the third-party inference settings were saved successfully.

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Do I need to fill in Model list?

Yes, it is recommended. Add only text/chat model IDs that support the Anthropic Messages API.

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What should I enter if I want to specify models manually?

Use the model IDs in the “Supported Models” table above and format them as required by Claude Desktop.