From 8c47d226adf21c8ee514e37dd46204af8ca47e0c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Peter Steinberger <steipete@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2026 20:32:33 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] docs: add subscription requirement faq

---
 docs/help/faq.md | 10 ++++++++++
 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+)

diff --git a/docs/help/faq.md b/docs/help/faq.md
index b275b61d4..478d8e629 100644
--- a/docs/help/faq.md
+++ b/docs/help/faq.md
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ Quick answers plus deeper troubleshooting for real-world setups (local dev, VPS,
   - [How do I install Clawdbot on a VPS?](#how-do-i-install-clawdbot-on-a-vps)
   - [Can I ask Clawd to update itself?](#can-i-ask-clawd-to-update-itself)
   - [What does the onboarding wizard actually do?](#what-does-the-onboarding-wizard-actually-do)
+  - [Do I need a Claude or OpenAI subscription to run this?](#do-i-need-a-claude-or-openai-subscription-to-run-this)
   - [How does Anthropic "setup-token" auth work?](#how-does-anthropic-setup-token-auth-work)
   - [Where do I find an Anthropic setup-token?](#where-do-i-find-an-anthropic-setup-token)
   - [Do you support Claude subscription auth (Claude Code OAuth)?](#do-you-support-claude-subscription-auth-claude-code-oauth)
@@ -404,6 +405,15 @@ Docs: [Update](/cli/update), [Updating](/install/updating).
 
 It also warns if your configured model is unknown or missing auth.
 
+### Do I need a Claude or OpenAI subscription to run this?
+
+No. You can run Clawdbot with **API keys** (Anthropic/OpenAI/others) or with
+**local‑only models** so your data stays on your device. Subscriptions (Claude
+Pro/Max or OpenAI Codex) are optional ways to authenticate those providers.
+
+Docs: [Anthropic](/providers/anthropic), [OpenAI](/providers/openai),
+[Local models](/gateway/local-models), [Models](/concepts/models).
+
 ### How does Anthropic "setup-token" auth work?
 
 `claude setup-token` generates a **token string** via the Claude Code CLI (it is not available in the web console). You can run it on **any machine**. If Claude Code CLI credentials are present on the gateway host, Clawdbot can reuse them; otherwise choose **Anthropic token (paste setup-token)** and paste the string. The token is stored as an auth profile for the **anthropic** provider and used like an API key or OAuth profile. More detail: [OAuth](/concepts/oauth).