API providers

Bring your own API keys to use any provider's models on the canvas. The provider bills you at its own prices, nothing comes out of the hosted wallet, and your conversations go from your computer straight to the provider. It's how you run a model Slashspace doesn't host, or put a long research session on an account you already pay for.

Open Settings and choose API Providers under AI Settings (Manage AI Models at the bottom of the model picker opens it too). It lists OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Perplexity, xAI, OpenRouter, Qolaba, DeepSeek, Groq and Fal AI (BETA). A green shield on a row means a key is saved on this computer. Slashspace's own hosted models need no key; see Choosing a model.

Add a key

1. Click a provider to expand it.
2. Click Get API key on its row. The provider's key page opens in your browser: create a key and copy it.
3. Paste it into the "Add API key" field.
4. Click the check mark to save (the red X cancels).

Slashspace checks the key with a small request to the provider before saving. The panel then shows Securely stored on device, and most providers get a starter set of models, listed in the model picker under the provider's name. OpenRouter starts with none, so add the ones you want.

If the key is rejected

A failed check shows "Could not validate the API key. Check the key and your connection, then retry." (OpenRouter and some others show "Invalid API key" with the provider's error code.)

If you're sure the key is right, tick Skip API key validation (it appears once you start typing) and save again. Your first message will show any real problem.

Replace or delete a key

With a key saved, use Replace API key or Delete API key. After a delete, that provider's models leave the model picker until you add a key again.

Choose which models appear

Each provider has a Models list:

• The switch shows or hides a model in the model picker. The trash button removes it.
• Add New Model lets you search the provider's models or type a Model ID exactly as the provider writes it. Display Name / Alias (optional) is the name the picker shows. Chat models get a short test message first, so a mistyped ID fails right away.
• Click a model to change its alias.

Where your key is stored

Keys are encrypted with your operating system's secure storage and stay on this computer; they don't sync, so add them on each computer you use. If secure storage is locked or unavailable, the row shows an amber warning and a Retry secure storage button. On Linux you need a system keyring.

Messages on your own key don't pass through Slashspace's servers. Usage analytics record details such as which model ran, not what you wrote. A few canvas features, like capturing web pages and reading documents, use Slashspace's servers whatever model you pick; see Privacy and your data.

Plans and cost

API keys work on every plan, including the trial. Slashspace itself needs an active plan (Plans and billing), but messages on your own keys never draw from the hosted wallet.

Provider-specific options

OpenRouter: images on your key

Turn on Use my OpenRouter key for image generation (off by default) to bill Image mode to your OpenRouter account instead of the hosted wallet. Generation still runs through Slashspace's servers, so your OpenRouter key is sent with each image request. Without a saved key, images use the hosted wallet. See Image generation.

Groq: voice input

With a Groq key saved, voice input transcribes on your own Groq account. Without one, it uses Slashspace's transcription service.

Fal AI (BETA)

You can save a Fal key and browse Fal's image models, but Image mode doesn't use Fal in this version.

Note: Straico is no longer supported. Keys and models from older versions were removed when you updated.

Related

• Subscription providers: Claude Code, Codex and Cursor.
• Ollama (local models)
• Custom providers: any OpenAI-compatible endpoint.