Claude Code Desktop Now Supports Z.AI GLM Models

Z.AI now supports via a little workaround through Claude Code Desktop via their Coding Plan. You can run Claude Code Desktop with Z.AI's GLM models — glm-4.7, glm-5, glm-5.1, glm-5-turbo, glm-5v-turbo — instead of relying on Anthropic directly.

Here's the complete setup guide.

Prerequisites

Z.AI account on the Coding Plan with an active API key
Access to GLM models (glm-4.7, glm-5.1, glm-5-turbo, or glm-5v-turbo)
Download Claude Code Desktop from code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop

Step 1: Install Claude Code Desktop

Download and install the app for your OS. The download link is at code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop.

Step 2: Enable Developer Mode

Open the app → tap the hamburger menu (top left) → Help → Troubleshooting → Enable developer mode. This unlocks the Developer tab in the menu.

Step 3: Configure Third-Party Inference

Go to Developer → Configure third-Party inference and fill in:

Gateway → https://api.z.ai/api/anthropic
Gateway API key → Your Z.AI API key
Model list → e.g. glm-4.7, glm-5.1, glm-5-turbo, glm-5v-turbo

Save the configuration — the app will restart and validate the settings. A green check means everything is valid.

Step 4: Start Coding

Open a project or create a new one. In </> Code, you should see your usage tracked against the Z.AI plan. That's how you know it's working.

To switch models per session:

ccd set model glm-5-turbo

Token Management

Claude Code Desktop uses approximately 100 tokens for context analysis and 30 tokens per response. Monitor your usage on Z.AI's Billing Dashboard to keep costs predictable.

⚡ The Verdict

Z.AI's support via a little workaround for Claude Code Desktop means you can run a full AI coding agent with GLM models — no direct Anthropic dependency needed. The Coding Plan covers the API costs, and the setup takes under 5 minutes.

Download Claude Code Desktop, enable developer mode, point it at https://api.z.ai/api/anthropic, and you're running on GLM.

✅ Pros

Z.AI integration via a little workaround
Use GLM models (4.7, 5, 5.1, 5-turbo, 5v-turbo) with Claude Code Desktop
API costs covered by the Coding Plan
Setup takes under 5 minutes
Model list is configurable
Full Claude Code Desktop experience with local file access
Developer mode gives you control

⚠️ Cons

Requires Z.AI Coding Plan
GLM models may behave differently from Anthropic's Claude
Model list is limited to what you have access to
API key must be kept secure

Common Issues

[401] Invalid API key — Double-check your Z.AI key in Developer → Configure third-Party inference
[403] Feature disabled — Make sure your Coding Plan includes API access
[503] API unavailable — Retry after 60 seconds or check Z.AI status

Links

Claude Code Desktop download: code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop

💡 Need a Z.AI plan? Among our favorites is Z.AI — their coding plans cover GLM 5.1, GLM 5 Turbo, GLM 4.7, and GLM 5V Turbo, all available as API endpoints for Claude Code Desktop. Use this link for 10% off any Z.AI coding plan.