---
title: "LobeChat API: Add FreeTheAI as a Custom Provider"
description: "Add FreeTheAI to LobeHub (LobeChat) as a custom AI provider with the OpenAI request format and use AI models in your chats."
url: https://freetheai.org/setup/lobechat
language: en
updated: 2026-09-29
---

# LobeChat API: Add FreeTheAI as a Custom Provider

LobeHub (formerly LobeChat) adds FreeTheAI as a custom provider with the OpenAI request format.

## 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

1. **Open the provider settings.** Open Settings, then the Provider tab.
2. **Add a custom provider.** Press Add Custom Provider and fill in the values above. Press Create.
3. **Add models.** Fetch the model list, or press Add Model and enter an ID such as glm-5.3. Turn on the models you want.

## 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.

Checked: Checked against LobeHub's provider settings strings (Add Custom Provider form) on 2026-09-29.