How can you use Claude Code with a cheaper OpenAI-compatible API workflow?
Updated: 2026-07-05
Claude Code is powerful, but many coding tasks do not require the most expensive model for every step.
Short answer
Use Claude Code for high-risk reasoning and architecture, and use lizh.ai models for drafts, code explanations, tests, documentation, and repetitive edits.
Steps
- Keep Claude-style models for complex judgment.
- Configure an OpenAI-compatible client with lizh.ai.
- Move routine coding tasks to lower-cost models.
- Compare quality and cost on the same task.
- Escalate to a stronger model only when needed.
Recommended models
- GLM-5.2 for complex coding and reasoning.
- DeepSeek for cost-sensitive code work.
- MiniMax for quick general tasks.
- Kimi for long code context.
Cost and reliability notes
- Do not use the highest-cost model as the default for every step.
- Draft with a cheaper model and review with a stronger model.
- Remove unnecessary context from prompts.
How to do it with lizh.ai
Create an API key in lizh.ai and use it as a Bearer token in clients that support an OpenAI-compatible API.
Use Base URL: https://lizh.ai/v1