[BUG] This credential is only authorized for use with Claude Code and cannot be used for other API requests

[DaiDarko]

Problem (one or two sentences)

Using Claude Code as an API Provider; Signed in and on Max plan.
Getting this error "This credential is only authorized for use with Claude Code and cannot be used for other API requests."

Context (who is affected and when)

Was in the middle of a task with Claude when suddenly I got repeated Unknown API Error / Provider error

See details below

Date/time: 2026-01-09T03:03:34.271Z
Extension version: 3.39.1
Provider: claude-code
Model: claude-opus-4-5

This credential is only authorized for use with Claude Code and cannot be used for other API requests.

Reproduction steps

1. Using MAC OS Tahoe (latest) on MacBook Pro // Roo Code 3.39.1 extension on VS Code // API Provider set as Claude Code
2. Using Claude Opus 4.5 with Claude Code as API Provide // Signed in and authorized on MaxPlan recently renewed.
3. Finished a task, tried to start a new one and kept getting the error. Tried signing out of Claude Code in RooCode settings and signing back in, tried quiting VSCode and Retrying the task and also creating a new one. Got the same error.

Expected result

The task starts and shows progress

Actual result

Provider Error Docs Unknown API error. Please contact Roo Code support.Details 50s

Variations tried (optional)

No response

App Version

v3.39.1

API Provider (optional)

Not Applicable / Other

Model Used (optional)

Opus 4.5

Roo Code Task Links (optional)

No response

Relevant logs or errors (optional)

[roomote]

I have investigated this issue by reviewing the Claude Code OAuth and streaming client implementation in the codebase.

Analysis

The error message "This credential is only authorized for use with Claude Code and cannot be used for other API requests" is coming directly from Anthropic's API backend, not from a bug in Roo Code.

How the Claude Code integration works:

1. OAuth Authentication: Roo Code authenticates users via OAuth against https://claude.ai/oauth/authorize using the Claude Code client ID
2. API Requests: After authentication, API calls are made to https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages?beta=true with:
   • The OAuth bearer token
   • Beta headers including claude-code-20250219 and oauth-2025-04-20
   • A system prompt prefix "You are Claude Code, Anthropic's official CLI for Claude."

What this error means:

This error indicates that Anthropic's API is rejecting requests because the OAuth credential (obtained through the Claude Code OAuth flow) is being restricted to only work with Anthropic's official Claude Code CLI, not third-party integrations.

This is NOT a code bug in Roo Code

The Claude Code integration was working as designed until Anthropic's backend started enforcing this restriction. This could be:

1. A recent policy change by Anthropic to restrict Claude Code OAuth credentials to their official CLI only
2. A temporary issue or configuration change on Anthropic's side
3. A change in how Anthropic validates API requests that requires coordination with them

Recommended workaround

Until this is resolved, you can use the Anthropic API provider instead of Claude Code:

1. Go to Roo Code settings
2. Switch API Provider from "Claude Code" to "Anthropic"
3. Get an API key from console.anthropic.com
4. Enter your API key in the settings

This will use the standard Anthropic API with direct API key authentication rather than the Claude Code OAuth flow.

For the maintainers

This appears to be a service-level change from Anthropic's side rather than something that can be fixed in the Roo Code codebase. You may want to reach out to Anthropic to clarify whether this restriction is intentional and if there's a way to enable third-party integrations to use the Claude Code OAuth flow.

[berryhill]

bump, happening to me across all repos

[sogrom]

You can not use api key with pro subscription. Waiting for solution :(

[RishvedSQ]

bump, having the same issue here

[jaesharp]

So, interesting observation - looks like the heuristic has changed slightly - my installation works with the Orchestrator mode, but fails with Ask - with or without MCP servers enabled or disabled. So - that may assist us in narrowing down the signature.

[Vivek-Yarra]

Better to check cline or kilo code, if they are working fine

[treo]

Over at Open Code they seem to have some initial workarounds: anomalyco/opencode-anthropic-auth#11

The problem seems to be two fold:

1. The OAuth for those that aren't loggedin yet is broken
2. The Claude Code API seems to reject certain tools. That is why the orchestrator mode doesn't fail, while others do.

[brunobola]

I confirm the Orchestrator mode works, perhaps the RooCode SystemPrompt should be changed.