---
url: https://docs.freetheai.org/guides/open-webui.md
description: >-
  Add FreeTheAI to Open WebUI as an OpenAI-compatible connection and chat with
  free models like GLM 5.3, Kimi K3, and MiniMax M3.
---

# Open WebUI

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

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

## Steps

### Open the connections page

As an admin, open Admin Panel, then Settings, then Connections.

### Add the connection

Under OpenAI API, press + to add a connection. Enter the URL and your key, then save.

### Choose a model

Open a new chat and pick a FreeTheAI model (they start with fta/) 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.

## Common questions

### 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.

## More help

* [Every API error and its fix](/errors)
* [Limits and the daily reset](/concepts/limits)
* [Open WebUI website](https://openwebui.com) and [source code](https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui)

::: info How this guide was checked
Checked against Open WebUI's OpenAI-compatible server docs on 2026-09-29.
:::