> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Claude Desktop

> Route Claude Desktop through Portkey for unified model access, governance, and full observability across your organization.

[Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) ships with a setting called *third-party inference*. When enabled, every conversation goes to a gateway you choose instead of Anthropic's hosted API. Pointing it at Portkey turns a personal AI tool into a governed organizational one without changing how anyone uses the app.

```mermaid theme={"system"}
flowchart LR
    CD["Claude Desktop"] --> PG["Portkey Gateway"]
    PG --> A["Anthropic"]
    PG --> B["AWS Bedrock"]
    PG --> V["Vertex AI"]

    style CD fill:#f9f9f9,stroke:#333
    style PG fill:#7c3aed,stroke:#7c3aed,color:#fff
    style A fill:#d97706,stroke:#d97706,color:#fff
    style B fill:#2563eb,stroke:#2563eb,color:#fff
    style V fill:#16a34a,stroke:#16a34a,color:#fff
```

## What changes when you connect Portkey

> [card] One endpoint, every model
>
> Use Anthropic, Bedrock, or Vertex AI without changing anything in Claude Desktop. Switch providers from a config in Portkey.

> [card] Spend stays within limits
>
> Per-team budgets, rate limits, and content guardrails apply automatically. No more surprise invoices.

> [card] Every request is auditable
>
> Cost, latency, tokens, and metadata logged for every prompt. Filter by team, user, or environment.

## Pick your path

> [card] [I'm rolling this out for my team](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-desktop-platform-admins.md)
>
> **Platform Admin Guide.** Set up providers, configs, governance policies, and scoped API keys. Hand each developer a five-minute setup.

> [card] [I just need to connect Claude Desktop](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-desktop-developers.md)
>
> **Developer Guide.** Paste the credentials your admin gave you and start sending requests through the governed gateway.

> [!TIP]
>
> **Solo builder or pilot?** Run through the [Platform Admin Guide](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-desktop-platform-admins.md) once to create your provider and config. Then follow the [Developer Guide](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-desktop-developers.md) to wire up Claude Desktop. Total time: under fifteen minutes.

## When to use this guide vs. the others

> [card] [Claude Desktop](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-desktop.md)
>
> The standard chat experience in Claude Desktop. **You're here.**

> [card] [Claude Cowork](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-cowork.md)
>
> The collaborative coding experience inside Claude Desktop. Same gateway setup, slightly different surface.

> [card] [Claude Code](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-code.md)
>
> The CLI-based agentic coding tool. Different config format (settings.json).

***

> [card] [Portkey is now PRISMA AIRS AI Gateway. See it in action.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.in/ai-security/ai-gateway?utm_source=portkey\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=prisma_airs\&utm_content=docs_nav#contact)
>
> Contact Us


## Related topics

- [Claude Desktop](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/mcp-clients/claude.md)
- [Using MCP Servers](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/product/mcp-gateway/using-mcp-servers.md)
- [Integrations](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/product/mcp-gateway/integrations.md)
- [Claude Desktop for Developers](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-desktop-developers.md)
- [Claude Desktop for Platform Admins](https://docs.portkey.ai/docs/integrations/libraries/claude-desktop-platform-admins.md)


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