Glossary · Building
abbreviation/ay·pee·eye/also: Application programming interface
A way for software to talk to other software. The Claude API lets developers build Claude into their own tools, websites and workflows, and is billed by usage.
In practice
Businesses use the Claude API when the standard Claude apps are not enough: to build Claude into a website, an internal tool, a document workflow or an automated process. API usage is billed by the amount of text processed rather than per seat, so it suits high-volume or behind-the-scenes work. It needs a developer to set up, and good design around permissions, logging and human review.
Building on the Claude APIIf your team wants to chat with Claude, work with documents and use Projects and Skills, a Claude plan is the right choice. If you want Claude inside your own software or running automatically in the background, you need the API. Many businesses use both.
From AI curious to AI capable
Start with an audit. You will know exactly where AI fits, what to do first and what it should give back. Your report looks something like this.
Prepared for
your business
What Claude can really do
Contents
Every opportunity mapped, scored and turned into a costed Claude roadmap.