Beginner Guide · Pitfall Prevention

How to Use AI Relays

What is an AI API relay? How do I choose a platform? Is free credit enough? Is it stable after topping up? This guide covers relay principles, platform comparisons, and a 3-step beginner walkthrough to get you started with AI APIs from scratch.

How Relays WorkPlatform ComparisonFree CreditsSmall Top-up TestingStability Verification

// Recommended

Recommended Platforms

Choose the best starting point based on your needs

🌱

For Beginners

Need tutorial guidance? CC Club has complete Claude Code tutorials and best practices — register and start immediately.

💰

Budget First

Start from ¥1 with zero barrier to entry. TuZi API gives ¥5 credit for ¥1 deposit — test the waters before committing.

🛡️

Stability Priority

99.9% SLA guarantee, 60ms RTT. Lume Coder's high-availability architecture with automatic failover.

🚀

Maximum Performance

$200 Max account pool, Opus uncapped. SSSAiCode at 0.45x multiplier, balance never expires.

// 3 Steps

Get Started in 3 Steps

Follow along — 10 minutes to complete setup

Choose Platform & Register

Select the platform that best fits your needs from the recommendations above. Use an invite code when registering if available — usually comes with extra bonuses. For your first top-up, ¥10~¥50 is enough to verify platform stability.

💡 Check for promotional discounts when topping up — some platforms run seasonal sales.

Get Your API Key

After registration, go to your dashboard and create an API Key. Note: Claude Code uses special Provider configuration, not standard OpenAI API format.

💡 Keep your API key secure — never share it with others or commit it to public repositories.

Configure Environment Variables

Set the corresponding environment variables based on the tool you're using. Claude Code needs ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL and ANTHROPIC_API_KEY; OpenAI SDK only needs OPENAI_BASE_URL modified.

💡 Use a config file (like .env) instead of hardcoding into your code, and make sure .env is in your .gitignore.

// Compare

Relay vs Direct to Official

Why choose a relay?

Comparison	Direct to Official	Via Relay
Network Access	VPN required	China direct, no VPN needed
Payment	Overseas credit/virtual card required	Alipay/WeChat/CNY direct
Sign-up Difficulty	Overseas phone number required	China mobile/email registration
Pricing	USD with exchange rate risk	CNY pricing (sometimes cheaper)
Stability	Depends on proxy quality	Depends on relay platform quality
Invoices	Business accounts only	Some platforms support business invoices

For China mainland developers, relays dramatically lower the barrier to using Claude / OpenAI APIs — the most popular solution today.

// FAQ

FAQ

Q1.Will my account get banned through a relay?

Legitimate relays use official interfaces and only forward network traffic without modifying request parameters — theoretically there's no ban risk. But Anthropic has strengthened Claude Code risk controls since 2025. We recommend prioritizing platforms with a long track record, good reputation, and avoiding registering multiple accounts on the same platform.

Q2.Can I get a refund after topping up?

Most relays do not support refunds (credits are consumed upon use). A few platforms have refund policies but with significant restrictions after activation. We recommend testing with free credits or the lowest tier before committing, and verifying stability for 1~2 weeks before larger top-ups.

Q3.What if the platform shuts down?

This is why we recommend prioritizing platforms with a long operational history (SSSAiCode has 9+ months) and avoiding one-time large top-ups. A monthly spend of ¥100~¥200 is a reasonable range — losses from a shutdown are manageable.

Q4.How do I know if a platform is trustworthy?

Check three things: 1) Operating time (longer is better); 2) Community reputation (user reviews and feedback); 3) Transparency (open source? SLA commitment? Support response time?). Test with a small top-up for 1~2 weeks before deciding on long-term use.

Q5.Do relay credits expire?

It varies by platform. Some (like AICodeWith, SSSAiCode) promise credits never expire. Some subscription-based platforms reset monthly (like subscription memberships). Prioritize platforms with never-expiring credits to avoid waste from pausing use.

Q6.Is China Direct really VPN-free?

Yes — China Direct means the relay's servers are optimized for China mainland routes with low latency and good stability, accessible without any proxy tools. However: some platforms claiming China Direct may still experience slowdowns during peak evening hours (19:00~23:00).

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