Run Claude Code for Free on Windows with OmniRoute and Google AI Studio (Gemini Flash)

Description and use

Run Claude Code for free on Windows by routing through OmniRoute to Google AI Studio Gemini Flash.

Problem

Using Claude Code requires paid model access, limiting free usage on Windows.

Outcome

Claude Code runs on Windows for free by routing through OmniRoute to Google AI Studio Gemini Flash.

Workflow

• Install Node.js and npm on Windows.
• Run npm install -g omniroute to install OmniRoute globally.
• Start OmniRoute with omniroute and open its dashboard.
• Connect Google AI Studio as a provider and enable "Import only free models" to import free Gemini Flash models.
• Launch Claude Code with omniroute launch --profile auto-coding-free so it uses the local OmniRoute endpoint.
• Claude Code sends requests to OmniRoute, which forwards them to the free Gemini Flash models, enabling free usage.

Evidence

OmniRoute is a free, open-source AI gateway that runs on your own computer. It gives you one local endpoint (http://localhost:20128/v1) and connects it to many AI providers, including those with free tiers, such as Google AI Studio (Gemini Flash).

Source

Then omniroute launch --profile auto-coding-free starts Claude Code through OmniRoute. Claude Code sends its requests to OmniRoute, which forwards them to the free models, so you use Claude Code’s workflow without paying for the model.

Source