LobeChat Free API: Add FreeTheAI as a Custom Provider
LobeHub (formerly LobeChat) adds FreeTheAI as a custom provider with the OpenAI request format.
Before you start
- Create a free account and an API key. Create an account
- Check in once a day to unlock the free models. Daily check-in
- Pick a model ID from the models page. Browse models
Settings
- Provider ID
freetheai- Provider Name
FreeTheAI- Request Format
OpenAI- Proxy URL
https://api.freetheai.org/v1- API Key
your FreeTheAI key (ftai_..., 53 characters)
Steps
Open the provider settings
Open Settings, then the Provider tab.
Add a custom provider
Press Add Custom Provider and fill in the values above. Press Create.
Add models
Fetch the model list, or press Add Model and enter an ID such as fta/zai/glm-5.3. Turn on the models you want.
How this guide was checked: Checked against LobeHub's provider settings strings (Add Custom Provider form) on 2026-09-29.
Tips
- Run the connectivity check on the provider page to confirm the key works.
Troubleshooting
Which Request Format should I pick in LobeHub?
OpenAI. FreeTheAI speaks the OpenAI chat completions format at https://api.freetheai.org/v1.
Common errors
- 401: the key is wrong or incomplete. Paste the whole key.
- 403: check in for today, or confirm your email.
- 404: the model ID or URL is wrong.
- 429: daily limit reached, or too many requests at once.