Use Fable 5 inside VS Code: three real routes

Quick summary

• GitHub Copilot: select Fable 5 in the Copilot model picker if your plan and org policy allow Anthropic models.
• Claude Code: run it in the VS Code terminal or extension with a Pro or Max plan; Fable 5 is in plan limits until June 22.
• BYOK extensions: point any Anthropic-compatible extension at claude-fable-5 with your own API key.

Route 1: GitHub Copilot model picker

If you have a paid Copilot plan, open Copilot Chat in VS Code and check the model picker for Fable 5. Organization accounts may need an admin to enable Anthropic models in Copilot policy settings first. This route bills through your existing Copilot plan, with premium-request multipliers set by GitHub, and requires no Claude account at all.

Route 2: Claude Code with a Pro or Max plan

Claude Code runs in the VS Code integrated terminal or through its extension, authenticated with your Claude subscription. Until June 22, Fable 5 is included in plan limits, and you can select it with the /model command. Remember the 2x rule: Fable 5 consumes plan usage about twice as fast as Opus, so use it for planning, reviews, and hard problems rather than every routine prompt.

Route 3: bring your own API key

Extensions that accept an Anthropic API key, such as agent-style coding extensions, can run claude-fable-5 directly. You pay API rates: $10 per million input tokens and $50 per million output tokens. This is the most controllable route for measuring exactly what Fable 5 costs on your real workload, and it does not depend on the June 22 subscription transition.

Which route should you pick?

If you already pay for Copilot, start there: zero setup, no new account. If you live in the terminal and have a Claude plan, Claude Code gives the deepest agentic workflow. If you need predictable per-task costs or want Fable 5 after June 22 without buying usage credits, BYOK is the clean answer. Many developers end up running Copilot for quick edits and Claude Code or BYOK for serious agent runs.