Claude Desktop — the GUI app — doesn’t let you pick a third-party model the way Claude Code (the CLI) does. cc-desktop-switch is a small community tool that bridges that gap, configuring DeepSeek, Kimi, Zhipu GLM, and Bailian as providers for the desktop app by managing its endpoint and key settings. If you specifically want the desktop chat experience on a cheaper model, this is how people do it.
This explains what it does, how to use it, and — honestly — when the CLI is the simpler choice. For the CLI path, see run DeepSeek with Claude Code.
Desktop vs Code, again
It’s the same distinction worth repeating: the CLI (Claude Code) supports custom endpoints natively, while the desktop GUI does not. cc-desktop-switch exists because the desktop app is harder to repoint.
Where each fits
| Claude Code (CLI) | Native custom endpoints; easiest for cheap coding |
|---|---|
| Claude Desktop (GUI) | No native picker; needs cc-desktop-switch |
What cc-desktop-switch does
It manages the configuration the desktop app uses, letting you set one of its supported providers (DeepSeek, Kimi, Zhipu GLM, Bailian) along with your API key and model. Switching providers becomes a guided action rather than hand-editing app config.
Step 1: Get an API key
Create a key with your chosen provider — for example DeepSeek or GLM. Note the model you want (deepseek-chat, glm-5-turbo, etc.).
Step 2: Install and use it
Install cc-desktop-switch per its README. Use it to select a provider, paste your key, and pick a model, then restart Claude Desktop so it loads the new settings.
1. Run cc-desktop-switch (per repo instructions)
2. Choose provider: DeepSeek / Kimi / GLM / Bailian
3. Enter API key and model
4. Restart Claude DesktopWhen to use it vs alternatives
- Want the desktop GUI on a cheap model? cc-desktop-switch is the targeted tool.
- Want cheap coding, any UI? Use Claude Code (CLI) — simpler and native.
- Want a visual editor workflow? A VS Code extension like Cline is purpose-built for third-party models.
Troubleshooting
- App still uses Anthropic — settings didn’t apply; restart the app, recheck the switch.
- Auth errors — wrong key or model for the selected provider.
- Breaks after an update — the desktop app changed; check the repo’s issues for a fix.
- Provider missing — only the README’s supported providers work.
cc-desktop-switch checklist
- Confirm you want Desktop (GUI), not the CLI
- Provider API key created
- cc-desktop-switch installed per its README
- Provider, key, and model selected
- Claude Desktop restarted; backend verified
Wrapping up
cc-desktop-switch lets you point Claude Desktop at DeepSeek, Kimi, GLM, or Bailian — useful if the desktop GUI is specifically what you want on a cheap model. It’s a community tool that edits app configuration, so use it with care and keep a way to revert. For most people after cheap coding, though, the CLI (Claude Code) or a VS Code extension is the simpler, better-supported route.
For the desktop context, see use DeepSeek with Claude Desktop.
