# MiniMax M3: Opus-Level Coding, DeepSeek Pricing

> MiniMax M3 launched with 1M context, near-Opus coding scores, DeepSeek-like API pricing, and two ways to try it immediately.

- Author: AI Kai
- Published: 2026-06-01
- Updated: 2026-08-24
- Topic: AI Dev Tools
- Tags: minimax, coding-models, open-weight
- Canonical: https://hqman.me/blog/minimax-m3/

MiniMax M3 dropped with 1M context, native multimodal, open-weight (weights coming in about 10 days), a thinking mode toggle, and scores nearly the same as Opus 4.7 on coding benchmarks.

The first open-weight model to combine all three frontier capabilities in one package.

## Benchmarks

On Terminal-Bench 2.1 (agentic terminal tasks), M3 scores 66.0, nearly identical to Opus 4.7's 66.1.

From my early testing, the frontend coding ability feels close to Opus 4.7 level.

## Pricing

API pricing is close to DeepSeek level. Launch promo (7 days): $0.30/M input, $1.20/M output.

## Two ways to test it

**Method 1: OpenCode (Free)**

MiniMax M3 is available for free in OpenCode. Install OpenCode, open the model selector, and pick "MiniMax M3 Free" under OpenCode Zen. No API key needed.

**Method 2: Claude Code**

You can use M3 inside Claude Code through MiniMax's Anthropic-compatible API endpoint. Drop this config into your Claude Code settings, using your own key from [platform.minimax.io](https://platform.minimax.io):

```json
{
  "env": {
    "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "YOUR_API_KEY",
    "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://api.minimaxi.com/anthropic",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_HAIKU_MODEL": "MiniMax-M3",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_OPUS_MODEL": "MiniMax-M3",
    "ANTHROPIC_DEFAULT_SONNET_MODEL": "MiniMax-M3",
    "ANTHROPIC_MODEL": "MiniMax-M3",
    "API_TIMEOUT_MS": "3000000",
    "CLAUDE_CODE_DISABLE_NONESSENTIAL_TRAFFIC": "1"
  },
  "model": "MiniMax-M3"
}
```

## Caveats

- All benchmark numbers are MiniMax-supplied. Independent community testing is still early.
- The 50% API discount is a 7-day launch promo.
- Open-weight release is "within 10 days," not available yet.
- Context above 512K tokens requires sales contact for now; public access coming soon.

## Sources

- [MiniMax M3 Blog Post](https://www.minimax.io/blog/minimax-m3)
- [MiniMax M3 Model Page](https://www.minimax.io/models/text/m3)
- [API Pricing](https://platform.minimax.io/docs/guides/pricing-paygo)
- [Token Plan](https://platform.minimax.io/subscribe/token-plan)
- [MiniMax Code](https://code.minimax.io/)