[DOCS] API-key authentication docs omit that it disables web-only Claude.ai features

Documentation Type

Incorrect/outdated documentation

Documentation Location

https://code.claude.com/docs/en/remote-control

Section/Topic

Remote Control requirements section, and corresponding sections for /schedule, claude.ai MCP connectors, and notification preferences

Current Documentation

The current documentation describes these features as working with claude.ai OAuth login, but does not mention that they are automatically disabled when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, apiKeyHelper, or ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN is set in the environment.

For example, Remote Control docs state:

"Remote Control requires claude.ai OAuth. Run /login and choose the claude.ai option. If ANTHROPIC_API_KEY is set in your environment, unset it."

However, this warning appears only in the error-troubleshooting context ("You're authenticated with an API key or Console account"), not as a general statement of behavior. The broader impact on /schedule, claude.ai MCP connectors, and notification preferences is entirely undocumented.

What's Wrong or Missing?

A. Remote Control

The Remote Control documentation does not explain that enabling an API key (via ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, apiKeyHelper, or ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN) automatically disables Remote Control, even when a claude.ai OAuth login also exists. Users must unset the API key to use these features.

B. /schedule (Routines)

The /schedule command and routines documentation does not mention that routines (cloud-based scheduled tasks) are unavailable when an API key is set. This is significant because routines require Claude Code on the web, which is itself disabled by API key auth.

C. claude.ai MCP connectors

The MCP documentation describes how claude.ai MCP servers are available when logged in with a claude.ai account, but does not document that this integration is disabled when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, apiKeyHelper, or ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN is set.

D. Notification preferences

The preferredNotifChannel setting and mobile push notifications (which require Remote Control) are not documented as being unavailable when API key authentication is active.

Suggested Improvement

Add a prominent note to the following pages explaining that these features require claude.ai OAuth and are disabled when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, apiKeyHelper, or ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN is set:

Remote Control (remote-control.md):
Add to the Requirements section:

These features require claude.ai OAuth authentication and are disabled when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, apiKeyHelper, or ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN is set, even if a claude.ai login also exists. Unset the API key to use Remote Control.

Routines (routines.md):
Add to the availability note:

Routines require Claude Code on the web and are not available when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, apiKeyHelper, or ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN is set.

MCP servers (mcp.md):
Add to the "Use MCP servers from Claude.ai" section:

claude.ai MCP connectors are disabled when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, apiKeyHelper, or ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN is set, even if you are logged in with a claude.ai account.

Settings (settings.md):
Add a note to preferredNotifChannel and the push notification documentation:

Mobile push notifications require Remote Control, which is disabled when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, apiKeyHelper, or ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN is set.

Impact

High - Prevents users from using features they would expect to work

Additional Context

Affected Pages:

| Page | Context |
|------|---------|
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/remote-control | Requirements section - missing API key incompatibility notice |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/routines | Availability note - missing API key incompatibility notice |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp | claude.ai connectors section - missing API key incompatibility notice |
| https://code.claude.com/docs/en/settings | preferredNotifChannel - no push notification/API key relationship |

Total scope: 4 pages affected

Changelog reference: v2.1.139 - "Remote Control, /schedule, claude.ai MCP connectors, and notification preferences are now disabled when ANTHROPIC_API_KEY / apiKeyHelper / ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN is set, even if a Claude.ai login also exists. Unset the API key to use these features"