Model providers

A provider is a source of AI models. C5 needs at least one before it can do anything.

You are not locked into a single company. You can connect several and use them for different jobs.

Adding a provider #

1. Go to Settings.
2. Open the LLMs tab.
3. Pick the provider you want.
4. Paste in your API key.
5. Click Save.

C5 checks the key immediately and tells you if it does not work.

Where keys come from #

An API key is a long password that lets a program use a service on your behalf. You get one from the provider's website, usually in a section called API keys or Developers.

Your keys are stored encrypted on your own computer and are only ever sent to the provider they belong to. See Local encryption.

Using many providers at once #

Connecting more than one is a good idea:

• Different strengths. Some models are better at some things.
• Different prices. Cheap models for easy work, strong models for hard work.
• A backup. If one provider goes down, C5 can use another.

See Choosing models for how to match jobs to models.

Running models on your own computer #

You can run models locally with no outside service at all. This means:

• No cost per use
• Nothing leaves your machine
• It keeps working with no internet

The trade-off is that local models are usually less capable than the best paid ones, and they need a reasonably powerful computer.

To connect one, choose the local option under LLMs and point C5 at where your local model is running. C5 checks the connection and lists the models it finds.

Gateways #

A gateway is a service that gives you many models through a single key. If you use one, connect it like any other provider and C5 will list everything it offers.

This is a simple way to try lots of models without signing up everywhere.

When a provider fails #

The usual causes:

• The key is wrong. Copy it again — trailing spaces are a classic.
• The key expired or was revoked. Make a new one.
• You are out of credit. Check your account with the provider.
• The provider is down. Check their status page.
• You hit a rate limit. C5 slows down and retries by itself.

To re-check a provider, open Settings → LLMs and save it again. C5 tests the key as you save and tells you straight away if it does not work.

Where to go next #

• Choosing models — match the model to the job.
• Budgets — keep spending under control.