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Rashed Iqbal
Rashed Iqbal

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Switch Claude Code providers in seconds with claude-provider (Plugin + CLI)

#ai #claudecode #cli

If you use Claude Code in your terminal but you sometimes need a different provider (or a different key/model), you’ve probably done this dance:

  • open ~/.claude/settings.json
  • change base URL / key / model
  • pray you don’t break something 😅

claude-provider fixes that by giving you profiles + one-command switching — and you can use it in two ways:

  • as a Claude Code plugin (slash commands inside Claude Code)
  • as a CLI tool (interactive menu or quick switch)

What it does (in simple words)

  • Save provider configs as profiles
  • Switch profiles instantly
  • Comes with presets for popular providers, plus custom profiles
  • Keeps things safer: masks API keys in output and locks down file permissions

Install 

npm i -g claude-provider
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This installs both the CLI + the plugin.

Option 1: Use it inside Claude Code (Plugin)

Install the plugin from a marketplace

In Claude Code, run:

/plugin marketplace add iqbal-rashed/claude-provider-plugin
/plugin install provider@claude-provider-plugin
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Useful plugin commands 

/provider:add <name>
/provider:list
/provider:switch <profile_name>
/provider:snapshot <name>
/provider:delete <profile_name>
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add lets you pick a preset (or custom), enter API key, and optionally a model

snapshot saves your current ~/.claude/settings.json as a reusable profile

Option 2: Use it in your terminal (CLI)

Interactive menu (easy mode) 

cpr
# or
claude-provider
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This opens a menu to view/switch/add/edit/delete profiles.

Quick switch (fast mode) 

cpr kimi
# or
claude-provider kimi
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List providers 

cpr -l
# or
claude-provider --list
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A real “daily use” example

Let’s say you want 2 profiles:

  • work → Anthropic (main)
  • fast → DeepSeek (cheap/quick)

1) Add both profiles (plugin way) 

/provider:add work
/provider:add fast
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Pick presets, add keys, done.

2) Switch depending on task 

/provider:switch fast
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Use it for quick refactors/tests.

/provider:switch work
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Use it for bigger code reviews.

Supported presets (built in)

The predefined presets like Anthropic, Z.ai (GLM), MiniMax, Kimi, Qwen, DeepSeek, plus Custom.

How it works (why it feels instant)

  • Profiles are saved as: ~/.claude/settings..json
  • Switching copies that file into: ~/.claude/settings.json
  • Your enabled Claude Code plugins stay enabled when switching

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