---
url: https://docs.freetheai.org/guides/chatbox.md
description: >-
  Use free AI models in Chatbox on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. Add
  FreeTheAI with the OpenAI API Compatible mode.
---

# Chatbox

Chatbox adds FreeTheAI as a custom provider in OpenAI API Compatible mode. It works on desktop, mobile, and the web app.

Category: [Chat apps](/guides/#chat-apps). Before you start, you need a FreeTheAI account, an API key, and today's [check-in](/getting-started/check-in).

## Settings

| Setting | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Name | `FreeTheAI` |
| API Mode | `OpenAI API Compatible` |
| API Host | `https://api.freetheai.org/v1` |
| API Path | `/chat/completions` |
| API Key | Your FreeTheAI key (`ftai_...`, 53 characters) |

## Steps

### Add a provider

Open Settings, then Model Provider, and press Add. Enter the name and choose OpenAI API Compatible.

### Enter the connection

Paste your key, the API Host, and keep the API Path as /chat/completions. The preview should show [api.freetheai.org/v1/chat/completions](https://api.freetheai.org/v1/chat/completions).

### Add models and check

Fetch the model list or add a model ID by hand, then press Check.

## Tips

* Chatbox needs at least one model added before Check works.

## Common questions

### What should the Chatbox preview URL look like?

[api.freetheai.org/v1/chat/completions](https://api.freetheai.org/v1/chat/completions). If it shows /v1 twice, remove it from the API Path.

## More help

* [Every API error and its fix](/errors)
* [Limits and the daily reset](/concepts/limits)
* [Chatbox website](https://chatboxai.app) and [source code](https://github.com/chatboxai/chatbox)

::: info How this guide was checked
Checked against Chatbox's source (provider settings and URL handling) on 2026-09-29.
:::