---
url: https://docs.freetheai.org/guides/lobechat.md
description: >-
  Add FreeTheAI to LobeHub (LobeChat) as a custom AI provider with the OpenAI
  request format and use free models in your chats.
---

# LobeHub (LobeChat)

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

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 |
| --- | --- |
| 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

### Open the provider settings

Open Settings, then the Provider tab.

### Add a custom provider

Press Add Custom Provider and fill in the values above. Press Create.

### Add models

Fetch the model list, or press Add Model and enter an ID such as `fta/zai/glm-5.3`. Turn on the models you want.

## Tips

* Run the connectivity check on the provider page to confirm the key works.

## Common questions

### Which Request Format should I pick in LobeHub?

OpenAI. FreeTheAI speaks the OpenAI chat completions format at [api.freetheai.org/v1](https://api.freetheai.org/v1).

## More help

* [Every API error and its fix](/errors)
* [Limits and the daily reset](/concepts/limits)
* [LobeHub (LobeChat) website](https://lobehub.com) and [source code](https://github.com/lobehub/lobehub)

::: info How this guide was checked
Checked against LobeHub's provider settings strings (Add Custom Provider form) on 2026-09-29.
:::