> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://skyforgeai.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://skyforgeai.gitbook.io/docs/connect/ai-providers.md).

# AI Providers

SkyForge needs an AI provider to run. Connect one from the UI — no config file editing required.

Prefer to write config by hand, or need options the UI doesn't expose? See [Provider configuration](/docs/reference/configuration.md#provider-configuration).

***

## Connect a provider

Open **Settings → Providers**.

![Settings → Providers — connected providers on top, popular ones below](https://2874025704-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoJEVszlHbBuPIN3VRjBS%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-79d62d14a67700668420e678af8d63f4cf8c50a4%2Fsettings-providers.png?alt=media)

Anything already connected is listed at the top with the auth type it uses, and a **Disconnect** button. Below that are the popular providers, each with **+ Connect**.

Click **+ Connect** and SkyForge asks for whatever that provider needs — usually just an API key. Once connected, it moves up to the connected list.

Not in the popular list? Click **Show more providers**.

![The full provider list, searchable](https://2874025704-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoJEVszlHbBuPIN3VRjBS%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3d60564581017b3a33591ef204be517e316a83bb%2Fconnect-provider-list.png?alt=media)

Search by name or scroll — the list covers several hundred providers.

***

## Custom / OpenAI-compatible

For anything the list doesn't cover — self-hosted vLLM, LiteLLM, Ollama, or a company gateway — choose **Custom** under **Other**.

![The Custom provider form](https://2874025704-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FoJEVszlHbBuPIN3VRjBS%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8ddd0d848e14ec899bee75d4daf884b8f1aee469%2Fconnect-custom-provider.png?alt=media)

| Field                     | Notes                                                                                                                                                                       |
| ------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Provider ID**           | Lowercase letters, numbers, hyphens or underscores. This is what you reference in a model string                                                                            |
| **Display name**          | Cosmetic — what shows in the model picker                                                                                                                                   |
| **Base URL**              | The OpenAI-compatible endpoint, including `/v1` if your gateway uses it                                                                                                     |
| **API key**               | Optional. Leave empty if you authenticate with headers instead                                                                                                              |
| **LiteLLM or vLLM proxy** | Tick this if your endpoint is one. Both reject a request once the conversation contains tool calls unless SkyForge sends a placeholder tool, and this is what turns that on |
| **Models**                | One row per model: the model ID your endpoint expects, plus a display name                                                                                                  |
| **Headers**               | Optional. For gateways that authenticate with a custom header rather than a bearer token                                                                                    |

**Submit** writes the provider into your config file for you.

> Leaving the LiteLLM box unticked on a LiteLLM or vLLM gateway is the failure that looks like nothing is wrong: the provider connects, appears in the model picker, and only fails partway through a session, the first time the agent has used a tool. SkyForge detects it automatically when the provider ID contains `litellm`, but not for a gateway named after the company running it.

***

## Switching models

**Ctrl+P** → `model`, mid-session, any time. Connecting a second provider doesn't replace the first — both stay available in the picker.

***

## Need help?

[Submit an issue →](https://github.com/tryskyforge/skyforgeissues)