---
title: "Open WebUI API: Add FreeTheAI as an OpenAI Connection"
description: "Add FreeTheAI to Open WebUI as an OpenAI-compatible connection and chat with AI models like GLM 5.3, Kimi K3, and MiniMax M3."
url: https://freetheai.org/setup/open-webui
language: en
updated: 2026-09-29
---

# Open WebUI API: Add FreeTheAI as an OpenAI Connection

Open WebUI connects to FreeTheAI as an OpenAI API connection and lists every model your key can use.

## Settings

- Connection type: `OpenAI API`
- URL: `https://api.freetheai.org/v1`
- Key: `your FreeTheAI key (ftai_..., 53 characters)`

## Steps

1. **Open the connections page.** As an admin, open Admin Panel, then Settings, then Connections.
2. **Add the connection.** Under OpenAI API, press + to add a connection. Enter the URL and your key, then save.
3. **Choose a model.** Open a new chat and pick a FreeTheAI model from the model menu.

## Tips

- Use Model IDs in the connection settings to show only the models you want.
- FreeTheAI serves chat models only, so keep your embedding and image settings pointed elsewhere.

## Troubleshooting

**No FreeTheAI models show up in Open WebUI. Why?**

Open WebUI reads /v1/models with your key. Check the URL ends in /v1 and the key is complete, then reload the model list.

Checked: Checked against Open WebUI's OpenAI-compatible server docs on 2026-09-29.