Claude Code for Free: Ollama, FreeLLMAPI and OpenCode (Full Setup)

Every command, prompt and link from this video is in my free AI newsletter: https://rakhulkarthick.substack.com/p/claude-code-for-free-ollama-freellmapi You can use Claude Code without paying for a plan. Claude Code is just the app, and the AI model behind it is the brain. You can swap the brain for a free one. I tested 3 ways on my 16 GB Mac and built real apps with them: a focus timer, a habit tracker and a calculator. Chapters: 00:00 Free Claude Code 01:16 How it works 02:42 Install Ollama 04:26 Pick a model 05:48 Connect Claude Code 07:35 Build 1: Focus timer 10:16 Build 2: Streaks 13:02 Option 2: FreeLLMAPI 17:25 Option 3: OpenCode 21:37 Which one to pick Links: Ollama: https://ollama.com/download Ollama + Claude Code docs: https://docs.ollama.com/integrations/claude-code Which model fits your computer: https://canirun.ai Claude app: https://claude.com/download FreeLLMAPI: https://github.com/tashfeenahmed/freellmapi Free Gemini API key: https://aistudio.google.com/apikey OpenCode: https://opencode.ai/download Good to know: Both builds ran on Ollama's cloud model, Gemma 4 31B. Cloud models are fast, but your prompts leave your computer, and the free plan comes with starter credits, not unlimited use. For a local model, the model AND its context window have to fit in memory, so "half your RAM" is only a rough guide. Ollama recommends a 64K context for Claude Code. "npx freellmapi setup-claude" changes your normal Claude Code settings (it backs up the old ones first). OpenCode's free models are mostly free for a limited time, and privacy differs per model. I test AI tools on real builds and show you what actually happened, including the parts that broke. New video every week, so subscribe. Rakhul