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Anthropic-Compatible API (Claude-Compatible)

Emby provides a native Anthropic-compatible Messages API at: 
POST https://api.emby.dev/v1/messages
This allows you to use any Emby model — Kimi, DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM, Llama, and more — through the familiar Claude-style request format. Perfect for:
  • Claude Code CLI
  • Tools expecting Anthropic’s /v1/messages schema
  • Apps that cannot easily switch from Anthropic → OpenAI format
  • Teams wanting better performance + predictable costs + EU hosting

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Why Use Emby’s Anthropic Endpoint?

Drop-In Claude Compatibility

Keep your existing Claude Code, scripts, and integrations — just point them at Emby.

Use Any Model

Run Kimi, DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM, and more through the Anthropic API schema.

EU Hosting & Privacy

All Emby traffic stays inside the EU via bit.nl and Nebius Amsterdam.

Predictable Costs

No more unpredictable Anthropic token billing — just simple per-developer plans.

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Quick Setup (Claude Code)

Claude Code works instantly with Emby using three environment variables. 
export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api.emby.dev/v1"
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="<your-emby-key>"
# Optional: choose a model — otherwise Emby defaults to DeepSeek
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="deepseek-v3"
Run Claude: 
claude
Your Claude Code CLI now uses Emby models with Claude’s API format.

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Choosing a Model

Use any Emby-hosted or routed model with Claude Code: 
# Fastest / most popular
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=deepseek-v3

# Best reasoning (Open Source)
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=kimi-k2-thinking

# Qwen Coder (for dev workflows)
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=qwen2.5-coder-32b

# Ultra-cheap high-speed
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=glm4-9b

# Claude (when using BYOK routing)
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet
Any model Emby exposes is compatible.

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Environment Variables Explained

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ANTHROPIC_MODEL

Primary model your Claude-compatible tool uses. 
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=kimi-k2-thinking

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ANTHROPIC_SMALL_FAST_MODEL

Some Anthropic tools require a “fast fallback model.” 
export ANTHROPIC_SMALL_FAST_MODEL=glm4-9b

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Full Example

export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api.emby.dev/v1"
export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="<your-emby-key>"
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="deepseek-v3"
export ANTHROPIC_SMALL_FAST_MODEL="glm4-9b"

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Manual API Request (Anthropic Style)

curl -X POST "https://api.emby.dev/v1/messages" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $EMBY_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "deepseek-v3",
    "messages": [
      {"role": "user", "content": "Explain Rust lifetimes simply."}
    ],
    "max_tokens": 150
  }'

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Response Format (Claude-Compatible)

Emby returns messages in Anthropic’s native JSON structure: 
{
  "id": "msg_123",
  "type": "message",
  "role": "assistant",
  "model": "deepseek-v3",
  "content": [
    {
      "type": "text",
      "text": "Rust lifetimes ensure references remain valid…"
    }
  ],
  "stop_reason": "end_turn",
  "usage": {
    "input_tokens": 18,
    "output_tokens": 42
  }
}
You can swap models without changing any client code.

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Advanced Usage

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Switching Models Quickly

export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=kimi-k2-thinking    # complex reasoning
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=glm4-9b             # cheap & fast
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=qwen2.5-coder-32b   # coding workflows
export ANTHROPIC_MODEL=deepseek-v3         # balanced default

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Persistent Configuration

Add to .bashrc or .zshrc: 
echo 'export ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL="https://api.emby.dev/v1"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'export ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN="<your-emby-key>"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'export ANTHROPIC_MODEL="deepseek-v3"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

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Need Help?

We help teams migrate their Claude workflows in minutes.

WhatsApp Support

Chat with us instantly:
https://wa.absolum.nl

Book a Call

For enterprise routing, BYOK, or custom GPU servers:
https://cal.com/absolum/30min
Your Claude-based workflows can be running on Emby models in under 5 minutes.