Using Vicoa with Free or Alternative AI Models
Can I use Vicoa without a paid Anthropic account?
Yes! Vicoa works with whatever AI model you configure Claude Code to use. Since Vicoa is simply a remote access layer for Claude Code, you can configure Claude Code to use:
- Free AI models via OpenRouter
- 500+ models from 60+ providers through OpenRouter
- Kimi K2 via Moonshot AI with 200K+ context window
This means you can use Vicoa completely free or with pay-per-use pricing instead of requiring a Claude Pro or Max subscription.
How It Works
Vicoa provides remote access to your Claude Code CLI. When you run vicoa instead of claude, you get the same functionality but accessible from any device (phone, tablet, browser).
The key insight: Vicoa uses whatever model Claude Code is configured to use. By configuring Claude Code to point to alternative providers before running vicoa, you can access those providers remotely.
Setup Workflow
- Configure Claude Code to use an alternative models (see options below)
- Run
vicoainstead ofclaudeto start the remote session - Access from any device - your configuration carries over automatically
Option 1: Free Models via OpenRouter (Recommended)
OpenRouter provides access to 500+ AI models from 60+ providers, including many free models.
Benefits
- Access to free models (no cost)
- Pay-per-use pricing for premium models (often cheaper than subscriptions)
- 500+ models to choose from
- Easy switching between models
Quick Setup
Setup connection to OpenRouter, then configure the Claude Code CLI with the following samples:
# Configure Claude Code to use OpenRouter with a free model
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="http://localhost:8787"
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="sk-or-<your-openrouter-api-key>"
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="z-ai/glm-4.5-air" # Free model
# Run Vicoa instead of Claude
vicoa📚 Full Guide: How to Use Claude Code with OpenRouter - Complete Setup Guide
This comprehensive guide covers:
- Three different setup methods (Docker, npm, Direct Proxy)
- How to choose free vs paid models
- Cost optimization strategies
Option 2: Kimi K2 via Moonshot AI
Kimi K2 offers a generous free tier with 200K+ token context window.
Benefits
- 200K+ token context window
- Free tier available (requires $1 minimum credit)
- Strong multilingual support (Chinese/English)
- Optimized for coding tasks
Quick Setup
# Configure Claude Code to use Kimi K2
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api.moonshot.ai/anthropic"
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="<your-moonshot-api-key>"
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="kimi-k2-turbo-preview"
# Run Vicoa instead of Claude
vicoa📚 Full Guide: How to Use Claude Code with Kimi K2 Model
This guide includes:
- Step-by-step Moonshot AI setup
- Free tier details and pricing
- Troubleshooting rate limits
Comparison Table
| Option | Cost | Setup Complexity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| OpenRouter (Free Models) | Free | Easy | Testing, learning, budget projects |
| OpenRouter (Paid Models) | Pay-per-use | Easy | Flexible model selection |
| Kimi K2 | Free tier + paid | Easy | Large codebases, multilingual |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a Claude Pro subscription to use Vicoa?
A: No! Vicoa works with any model you configure Claude Code to use, including free models.
Q: Will all Claude Code features work with alternative models?
A: Most features work, but some advanced capabilities (like specific tool-calling formats) depend on the model you choose. Claude models typically have the best compatibility.
Q: Can I switch models after starting a Vicoa session?
A: You need to restart Vicoa with new environment variables to switch models. It's best to choose your model before starting the session.
Q: Does using alternative models affect Vicoa's performance?
A: Vicoa's performance is independent of your model choice. However, different models have different response speeds and capabilities.
Getting Started
Ready to use Vicoa with free or alternative models?
- Choose your provider: OpenRouter for flexibility, Kimi K2 for long context
- Follow the setup guide: Complete guides linked above
- Run
vicoa: Access your configured setup from any device - Join our community: Get help in our Discord server
Need Help?
- Review Getting Started for Vicoa basics
- Read How to Use Claude Code with OpenRouter?
- Read How to Use Claude Code with Kimi K2 Model?
- Ask questions in our Discord community
- Email us at hi@habitrewards.me