Q. How can Harvard affiliates access Generative AI coding tools (like Claude Code and Codex?)

Both Codex and Claude Code are available for Harvard faculty and research groups to assist with programming and computational research tasks, though they differ in how they are accessed and paid for. If set up and accessed as described through Harvard licensed methods, both tools are appropriate for up to DSL 3 (Sensitive Data). Please contact Library & Research Services staff at research@hks.harvard.edu for help choosing, setting up, and using any of these tools.

Codex (OpenAI)
Free, but rate limited

Codex is the fastest way to get started and does not require anything beyond your existing ChatGPT Edu access. With each of these interfaces, you should log in with your ChatGPT Edu account (Harvard Key). For the most part these are for macOS and Linux or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Though free for use within Harvard's existing contract, they will be subject to rate limits.

1. Codex App (macOS)

• Desktop application for macOS only
• Work in folder-based projects in a dedicated application

2. IDE Extension (i.e., VS Code)

• Available as an extension for VS Code and other supported IDEs (including PyCharm)
• Enables inline code generation, explanation, and debugging

3. Command Line Interface (CLI)

• Installed and run from the terminal or command line (macOS, Linux, or Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL))

Claude Code (Anthropic)
Costs based on Usage

Access to Claude Code is possible in some forms (NOT including Desktop and NOT including Web), but takes some set up and configuration, and requires pay-as-you-go. To access Claude Code, you will first need to set up a HUIT billing number (if you do not already have one), set up an App in the HUIT API interface, and request access to AI Services - AWS Bedrock API. Once you receive an API Key, you can configure and use Claude Code.

1. Claude Code CLI

• Available for macOS, Windows, and Linux
• Requires configuring specific settings for Claude Code as described in the Claude Code section of the HUIT AI Services - AWS Bedrock API documentation.
• If you will also use the VS Code Extension, these setting should be added to the settings.json file in the .claude folder that will be created upon install (ask for help from Library staff if you are unsure how to do this)

2. Claude Code IDE Extension (i.e., VS Code)

• Available for VS Code and other IDEs (including PyCharm)
• Edit your .claude/settings.json file with the recommended settings as described in the HUIT AI Services - AWS Bedrock API documentation to properly configure the Claude Extension to use your HUIT AWS Bedrock API access.

NOTE: Harvard's access to Claude Code does NOT include Claude Code on the Desktop, nor does it include Claude Code on the Web.

This information applies generally to anyone at Harvard, but if you are not an HKS affiliate, please contact your school's research support contact for help. If you are an HKS affiliate, please contact research@hks.harvard.edu with specific questions and for help setting up, configuring, and using these tools.