Claude Agent SDK

What it does

The Claude Agent SDK lets developers embed Claude Code’s agent loop in their own Python or TypeScript application. Instead of writing every step of a tool-calling loop, you give the agent a goal and control the tools and resources it may use. The SDK supplies file operations, command execution, web search, context management, and sessions that can continue across exchanges.

It is useful when your application needs an agent to do work: investigate a repository, assemble research, process files, or coordinate specialized subtasks. Hooks let your code respond at key moments, permissions determine which actions need approval, and MCP connects other tools and data. You operate the process and remain responsible for its runtime, credentials, and access boundaries.

This is a developer library, so getting started means installing a package and writing an application. The quickstart requires Node.js 18.14 or later, or Python 3.10 or later, plus an Anthropic account and API key. Model and tool usage are billed separately; a personal Claude subscription is not a general entitlement to authenticate customers of your own SDK-based product.

What it can do

• Embed an agent loop with built-in tools
• Create and resume agent sessions
• Delegate tasks to specialized subagents
• Add hooks and approval rules
• Connect external tools through MCP

Works with

• Python
• TypeScript
• MCP servers
• Claude Code runtime

Example workflows

A repository maintenance agent

Wrap the SDK in an internal service that reads a repo, proposes a fix, runs tests, and returns a diff for review.

A controlled document workflow

Allow only approved folders and tools, then let an agent gather files and produce a structured deliverable.

Before you choose

• You host the process; this is different from Anthropic’s hosted Managed Agents.
• Third-party products should use the documented API authentication rather than customers’ personal Claude login.

Listed under

• Coding
• MCP and agent tools
• Agent-framework
• AI agents
• AI-agents
• Automation
• Coding agents
• Developer tools

Get started

Node.js 18.14+ or Python 3.10+

1. Install the Python or TypeScript SDK package in a project.
2. Create an API key and configure it securely in the application environment.
3. Choose allowed tools and permissions, then run a small task before expanding access.

Example standard model rate, not a flat SDK subscription or total task cost. Other models, tools, and your hosting can cost more.

Source: platform.claude.com/docs/en/about-claude/pricing, checked 28 Oct 2026. Prices can change; check before you buy.

Sources for this overview

Product pages, documentation, and pricing checked 28 Oct 2026. Each source supports part of the overview; availability and prices can change.

• Agent SDK overview - Claude Code Docs ↗code.claude.com
• Quickstart - Claude Code Docs ↗code.claude.com
• Pricing - Claude Platform Docs ↗platform.claude.com

Company website

code.claude.com: product, pricing and policy pages

YC directory mirror

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Web search

Confirms the official site

Social accounts

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Human review

Checked by a person

knowledge_base

Last checked 28 Oct 2026. Every field keeps its source and date; unknown means we couldn’t confirm it.