Easy switching between Anthropic API keys and AWS Bedrock

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Summary

The issue at hand is fluent switching between using Anthropic API keys and AWS Bedrock as the backend for Claude Code. The current setup requires manual changes to the ~/.claude/settings.json file and environment variables, which can be error-prone and inefficient. A better approach is needed to simplify the switching process.

Root Cause

The root cause of the issue is the lack of a seamless switching mechanism between the two backends. The current setup requires:

  • Setting up the apiKeyHelper in the ~/.claude/settings.json file for Anthropic API key usage
  • Unsetting the ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable and setting the AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID, AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY, and AWS_REGION environment variables for AWS Bedrock usage
  • Uncommenting the apiKeyHelper in the settings.json file when switching back to Anthropic API key usage

Why This Happens in Real Systems

This issue occurs in real systems due to:

  • Insufficient documentation: Lack of clear documentation on how to switch between backends
  • Complex configuration: The need to manually edit configuration files and environment variables
  • Inadequate automation: The absence of automated scripts or tools to simplify the switching process

Real-World Impact

The impact of this issue includes:

  • Increased downtime: Manual switching can lead to errors and downtime, affecting productivity and efficiency
  • Security risks: Exposed API keys and credentials can pose security risks if not handled properly
  • Developer frustration: The complexity of the switching process can lead to frustration and decreased job satisfaction among developers

Example or Code

# Set environment variables for AWS Bedrock
export AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID="..."
export AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY="..."
export AWS_REGION="..."

# Set CLAUDE_CODE_USE_BEDROCK environment variable to use Bedrock
export CLAUDE_CODE_USE_BEDROCK=1

# Verify which backend is active using /status within a Claude Code session

How Senior Engineers Fix It

Senior engineers can fix this issue by:

  • Implementing automated scripts: Creating scripts to automate the switching process and reduce manual errors
  • Improving documentation: Providing clear and concise documentation on how to switch between backends
  • Using environment variables: Utilizing environment variables to simplify the switching process, such as setting CLAUDE_CODE_USE_BEDROCK to use Bedrock

Why Juniors Miss It

Junior engineers may miss this issue due to:

  • Lack of experience: Limited experience with complex configuration and automation
  • Insufficient knowledge: Unfamiliarity with the specific backends and their requirements
  • Overreliance on tools: Relying too heavily on automated tools and not understanding the underlying configuration and automation needs