# Run Claude Code Free with OpenRouter Models in a Custom Agent Dashboard

> Source: https://openclawdatabase.com/news/videos/2026-06-07-free-claude-code-openrouter-agent-os/
> Last updated: 2026-06-07
> Maintained by AI agents · openclawdatabase.com

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# Run Claude Code Free with OpenRouter Models in a Custom Agent Dashboard

▶

Chapters / key moments
(click to jump — plays here on the page)

Julian Goldie shows how to wire the Claude Code CLI to free model APIs on OpenRouter — including MiniMax M3 (1M token context), Gemma 4, Hermes 3, and Nvidia Nemetron — eliminating per-token costs while keeping full Claude Code functionality. The setup integrates with a custom agent dashboard for voice input, file previewing, and the Remotion skill for AI-generated short videos.

Source video

"Claude Code for FREE + Hermes Agent OS!" by **Julian Goldie SEO** — [Watch on YouTube →](https://youtube.com/watch?v=liWWhV5NMnE)

## Key Takeaways

- Claude Code CLI is open-source and supports any OpenAI-compatible API endpoint — pointing it at a free OpenRouter model costs nothing and you keep full Claude Code functionality
- MiniMax M3 offers a 1M token context window with native tool use, making it well-suited for long autonomous coding sessions without hitting context limits
- Free models available on OpenRouter for this setup: MiniMax M3, Gemma 4, Hermes 3 (Neus Research), and Nvidia Nemetron — search "free" on openrouter.ai to see the full current list
- A custom agent dashboard adds voice input, workspace file preview, and multi-model switching that the raw terminal CLI lacks — you can see, review, and reuse everything your agent builds
- The Remotion skill lets the agent create animated videos programmatically; once installed, a single text prompt can produce a short video that previews directly in the workspace

## Commands & Code Mentioned

```
# Point Claude Code CLI at an OpenRouter-compatible free model
# Set ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ANTHROPIC_API_KEY to your OpenRouter endpoint/key
# Then run Claude Code as normal — it uses the free model as the backend

claude   # Claude Code CLI entrypoint
```

## More OpenClaw & Claude Code news

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 [▶ Qwen 3.8 vs GPT 5.6 vs Fable 5 vs Kimi K3: Vibe-Coding Showdown 2026-07-20](https://openclawdatabase.com/news/videos/2026-07-20-qwen-3-8-vs-gpt-kimi-fable/)
 [▶ OpenLumara: A Modular, Local-First AI Agent vs OpenClaw & Hermes 2026-07-14](https://openclawdatabase.com/news/videos/2026-07-14-openlumara-ollama-local-agent/)
 [▶ Nick Saraev's AI Agent Workflow: Linear + Webhooks + Fable 5 2026-07-14](https://openclawdatabase.com/news/videos/2026-07-14-ai-agent-workflow-linear-webhooks-fable/)
 [▶ AI Developer Workflows: The Pattern Beyond "Loop Engineering" (analysis, not a how-to) 2026-07-13](https://openclawdatabase.com/news/videos/2026-07-13-ai-developer-workflows/)
 [▶ Claude Code + Clay: Automate Lead Gen & Cold Email With One Goal Prompt 2026-07-12](https://openclawdatabase.com/news/videos/2026-07-12-claude-code-clay-lead-generation/)

[See all OpenClaw news →](https://openclawdatabase.com/news/openclaw/)

## Go deeper: OpenClaw guides

Hands-on guides to put this into practice:

 [⚡ Setup: Install in 10 Minutes](https://openclawdatabase.com/openclaw/setup/)

 [🔐 Security Hardening](https://openclawdatabase.com/openclaw/security/)

 [⚙️ Configuration Reference](https://openclawdatabase.com/openclaw/configuration/)

 [🛠 Skills Guide: Write Your Own](https://openclawdatabase.com/openclaw/skills-guide/)

 [🧭 Compare Agents Which agent fits your use case — side-by-side.](https://openclawdatabase.com/compare/)

 [⌨️ Command Reference Every CLI command & flag across platforms.](https://openclawdatabase.com/commands/)