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DraftonHUNTER MIODEK TECHNOLOGIESDRAFTON

SETUP

Get your Anthropic API key.

Drafton runs on your own Anthropic key — you bring the key, we don't touch your model spend. It takes about five minutes; here's exactly how.

What you’ll need

BEFORE YOU START

  • ~5 minutes
  • A debit / credit card
  • An Anthropic Console account
  • Drafton installed (Windows)

This is not a Claude Pro or Max subscription — the API is a separate account. See the FAQ below.

The four steps

  1. 01

    Create an Anthropic Console account

    Go to console.anthropic.com and sign up. This is the developer platform — separate from the claude.ai chat app, with its own login and billing.

    Open the Console ↗
  2. 02

    Add billing (pay-as-you-go)

    In the Console, open Billing and add a payment method or prepay credits. The API is usage-based — you only pay for the requests you make, and you can set monthly spend limits.

    Drafton is efficient with the model (prompt caching, task-scaled effort), and you pick the model in Settings — Auto, Sonnet (cheaper), or Opus.

  3. 03

    Create an API key

    Open API keys → Create key. Copy the value that starts with sk-ant-… — it’s shown once, so paste it somewhere safe if you step away.

  4. 04

    Paste it into Drafton

    In Drafton, open Settings → Anthropic API key, paste the key, and choose Save. Chat works immediately — no restart. The key is stored encrypted in your Windows profile and sent only to Anthropic.

Good to know

Do I need a Claude Pro or Max subscription?

No. Pro and Max are subscriptions for the claude.ai chat app and don’t include API access. An API key comes from the Anthropic Console, which is a separate sign-up with its own pay-as-you-go billing. You don’t need a Pro/Max subscription to create a key.

How much does it cost to run?

You pay Anthropic only for the model usage Drafton generates — there’s no markup from us (we sell the software, not the inference). Cost depends on how much you use it and which model you pick; you can cap spend in the Console and switch to Sonnet for lighter, cheaper runs.

Where does my key live — is it safe?

The key is stored encrypted in your Windows user profile and used only to call Anthropic’s API directly from your machine. It never passes through Hunter Miodek Technologies’ servers, and neither does your CAD data. See CAD data handling.

What if I lose the key or want to rotate it?

Create a new key in the Console any time, paste it into Drafton’s Settings, and delete the old one in the Console. Replacing the key takes effect on your next message.
Still stuck? Contact usSee how Drafton works