Point Claude Code at a cheaper model with Router v3

Set up Claude Code Router v3.1.1 to send a side project’s traffic to a cheaper model.

by Zara Menon7 Oct 2026

Prompt for your agent

Goal: Use a cheaper model for a side project inside Claude Code.
Setup: agents used in source: Claude; tools/MCPs stated: Claude Code Router.
Steps:
1. Install Claude Code Router v3.
2. Configure the provider and model routing.
3. Run Claude Code through the router.
Rules: ask me before anything irreversible (sending, posting, paying, deleting); don’t invent data, results or tools I haven’t given you; tell me what you couldn’t verify.
Based on: Zara Menon — https://dev.to/zaramenon/claude-code-router-v3-what-changed-and-how-i-set-it-up-now-mj7 (summarised from source; the source has no explicit step list)

Steps are our summary of the source (it has no explicit step list). Includes a “Based on” credit line.

I tried this

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Agents, models and tools only what the source states

Agents
Claude
Tools
  • Claude Code Router

Sources & credit