# DeepClaude — Run Claude Code's Agent Loop on DeepSeek V4 Pro for 17x Cheaper Tokens

> Point Claude Code at DeepSeek V4 Pro and pay $0.87 per million output tokens instead of $15 — same agent loop, same tools, different brain.

- Org: aattaran
- Date: 2026-05-03
- Category: repo, tool
- Source: https://github.com/aattaran/deepclaude
- Canonical page: https://ai-tldr.dev/releases/aattaran-deepclaude/

## In short

MIT-licensed shim that swaps Claude Code's API endpoint for DeepSeek V4 Pro, OpenRouter, or Fireworks while keeping every Claude Code feature — file edits, bash, subagents, autonomous loops.

## What it is

DeepClaude is a small shell wrapper that intercepts Claude Code's outbound API calls and routes them to any Anthropic-compatible backend. Out of the box it ships configs for DeepSeek V4 Pro, OpenRouter, and Fireworks AI, but anything that speaks the Anthropic Messages format works.

## How it works

The wrapper sets ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ANTHROPIC_API_KEY before invoking the upstream `claude` CLI, so file reads, edits, bash execution, subagent spawning, and autonomous multi-step loops all run unchanged. A `--backend` flag swaps providers per session; thinking mode and remote-control-via-browser are preserved.

## Why it matters

Claude Code's token bill is the main reason teams hit usage caps. DeepSeek V4 Pro hits 96.4% on LiveCodeBench at roughly 1/17 the per-token price, so for routine refactors and code edits the cost difference compounds quickly. The repo hit HN's front page top 5 within hours of being created.

## Who it's for

indie devs, small teams burning through Claude Code credits, anyone running long agent loops on a budget

## Try it

git clone https://github.com/aattaran/deepclaude && DEEPSEEK_API_KEY=sk-... ./deepclaude.sh

## Links

- [GitHub Repo](https://github.com/aattaran/deepclaude)
- [HN Discussion](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47994012)
- [DeepSeek Platform](https://platform.deepseek.com)
- [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai)