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Anthropic is the default and recommended LLM provider for MergeWatch. It offers the simplest setup — just add your API key and you are ready to go. Works on every platform (Docker, AWS, GCP, bare metal).

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Configuration

Set these environment variables in your .env file or container environment:
VariableRequiredValue
LLM_PROVIDERYesanthropic
ANTHROPIC_API_KEYYesYour Anthropic API key
LLM_MODELYesAnthropic model ID to use (e.g., claude-sonnet-4-20250514)
When LLM_PROVIDER=anthropic, you must set LLM_MODEL to an Anthropic-native model ID. The built-in defaults (us.anthropic.claude-sonnet-4-20250514-v1:0 for the primary model and us.anthropic.claude-haiku-4-5-20251001-v1:0 for the light model) are Bedrock inference profile IDs and are not valid on the Anthropic API.

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Model roles

MergeWatch uses two model slots per review:
  • Primary model (model in .mergewatch.yml) — runs the agent pipeline (security, bugs, style, error handling, test coverage, comment accuracy). Use Claude Sonnet 4 for the best review quality.
  • Light model (lightModel in .mergewatch.yml) — runs the summary and diagram passes. Claude Haiku 4.5 is a good cost-optimized choice here.
Setting LLM_MODEL overrides both slots with the same model. For split primary/light models, configure them in .mergewatch.yml instead — see mergewatch.yml reference.

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Example .env file

# LLM Provider
LLM_PROVIDER=anthropic
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-api03-...

# Pick a model — Sonnet for the highest review quality
LLM_MODEL=claude-sonnet-4-20250514

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Model suggestions

Anthropic model IDBest for
claude-sonnet-4-20250514Recommended. Highest review quality for deep agent analysis.
claude-haiku-4-5-20251001Cost-optimized. Faster and cheaper; good for summary/diagram.

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Pricing

You pay Anthropic directly for API usage. MergeWatch does not add any markup or proxy fees. See the Anthropic pricing page for current per-token rates.

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Next steps

Configure review behavior

Tune sensitivity, ignored paths, and review focus areas.

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Environment variables

Full list of supported environment variables.

Platform guides

Deploy MergeWatch on your platform of choice.