---
title: "NextChat API: Use FreeTheAI as a Custom Endpoint"
description: "Point NextChat (ChatGPT-Next-Web) at FreeTheAI with a custom OpenAI endpoint and custom model list to chat with AI models."
url: https://freetheai.org/setup/nextchat
language: en
updated: 2026-09-29
---

# NextChat API: Use FreeTheAI as a Custom Endpoint

NextChat uses FreeTheAI through its custom OpenAI endpoint. Add the model IDs to Custom Models so they appear in the picker.

## Settings

- Custom Endpoint: `On`
- Model Provider: `OpenAI`
- OpenAI Endpoint: `https://api.freetheai.org`
- OpenAI API Key: `your FreeTheAI key (ftai_..., 53 characters)`
- Custom Models: `+glm-5.3,+kimi-k3.1-pro`

## Steps

1. **Turn on the custom endpoint.** Open Settings and turn on Custom Endpoint. Set Model Provider to OpenAI.
2. **Enter the endpoint and key.** Set OpenAI Endpoint to https://api.freetheai.org (NextChat adds /v1/chat/completions) and paste your key.
3. **Add your models.** In Custom Models, list the models you want, separated by commas, then pick one in a chat.

## Troubleshooting

**Why does NextChat call the wrong URL?**

Enter the root address https://api.freetheai.org without /v1. NextChat appends v1/chat/completions itself.

Checked: Checked against NextChat's source (custom endpoint settings and request paths) on 2026-09-29.