Connect your AI

Connect an AI that isn’t listed

Nuxa can connect most AI services with an API key. We'll find out what yours needs.

1At a glance

How it connects: Connects with an API key What’s an API key?
Cost: Depends on the service
With a free account: Depends on the service.
Research: Uses Nuxa web search — free key Set up web search

2Step by step

7 steps. Nuxa shows you these same steps, one at a time.

Step 1

Which AI do you use?

Type its name. If Nuxa knows it, it takes you straight to the right steps.

Button in Nuxa: Continue

Trouble with this step?
Step 2

Find the API keys page

On the AI's website, look for a link called API, Developers, Platform or Console, then API keys. Or let Nuxa search for it.

Button in Nuxa: I found it

Trouble with this step?
Step 3

Create a key and copy it

Click the button that creates a key (often “Create key” or “New API key”), then copy it.

Button in Nuxa: I've copied it

Trouble with this step?
Step 4

Nuxa finds your key

Come back to Nuxa: it offers the key it finds on your clipboard. Or click Paste key. Nuxa recognises many services from the key alone.

Button in Nuxa: Paste key

Trouble with this step?
Step 5

Enter the API address

The service's help pages list an “API base URL” or “OpenAI-compatible endpoint”. It looks like https://api.example.com/v1. Nuxa fixes small mistakes.

Button in Nuxa: Continue

Trouble with this step?
Step 6

Choose a model

Nuxa asks the service which models your key can use. Pick one from the list.

Button in Nuxa: Use this model

Trouble with this step?
Step 7

Checking the connection…

Nuxa sends one tiny test message, then keeps the key in your Mac's Keychain.

Button in Nuxa: Test again

Trouble with this step?

3Free account limits, in plain words

Depends on the service. Here’s what happens if you hit a limit, and what to do.

When you’ve used your allowance, Nuxa says:

The service is limiting requests for now. Wait a minute and try again, or choose another AI.

When the account has no credit, Nuxa says:

The service says your account has no credit yet. Add credit on its website, then click Test again.

Wait

Wait a little

Most limits clear within a minute; free daily limits reset overnight. Then click Test again in Nuxa.

Upgrade

Add credit or upgrade

Add credit or pick a paid plan on the service’s website.

Switch

Choose another AI

Free choices: Google Gemini, Ollama on your Mac, or ChatGPT. You can switch any time.

4Troubleshooting

Tap a problem to see the fix.

Step 1 Which AI do you use?

I don't know what it's called

Look at the website where you use it; the name is at the top.

Nuxa didn't recognise the name

That's fine. Carry on: Nuxa will work out the rest from the key.

Step 2 Find the API keys page

There's no API anywhere

Some chat apps have no API. If so, choose another AI from the list.

It asks me to pay first

Many APIs are pay-as-you-go and need a little credit before the first request.

Step 3 Create a key and copy it

I closed it before copying

Most services show a key only once. Create another key and copy that one.

There are several kinds of key

Choose the API key (sometimes called a secret key), not a publishable or client key.

Step 4 Nuxa finds your key

Nuxa says it looks like a different kind of key

You may have copied a key from another service. Go back to the key page and copy the key again with its Copy button.

Nuxa says the key looks incomplete

Part of it was missed. Use the Copy button next to the key rather than selecting it by hand.

macOS asks whether Nuxa may paste

Click Allow Paste. Nuxa only looks at the clipboard when you click Paste key, or when you come back to Nuxa during this step.

Paste key does nothing

Copy the key again, then click Paste key. Or click into the box under the button and press ⌘V.

Step 5 Enter the API address

I don't know the address

Search the service's documentation for “OpenAI compatible” or “base URL”.

I pasted a long address

That's fine: Nuxa trims endings like /chat/completions for you.

Step 6 Choose a model

The list didn't load

Type a model name from the service's documentation instead.

Which model should I pick?

Pick one whose name includes “chat”, “instruct” or a size like “70b”; avoid ones for images, audio or embeddings.

Step 7 Checking the connection…

The service didn't accept the key

Copy the whole key again and paste it.

It says the address or model wasn't found

Go back and check the address ends in /v1 (or as the documentation says), and pick another model.

It says Nuxa couldn't reach the address

Check the address is spelled right and that you're online.

Any step Something else

I'm offline

Setting up needs the internet (except a model that's already on your Mac). Connect, then try the step again.

I use a VPN or a work network

VPNs and work firewalls sometimes block AI services. Try with the VPN off, or on another network.

macOS asks for permission

Nuxa may ask to paste from the clipboard or to open a web page. Click Allow; nothing happens without your click.

Nothing seems to happen

Click Check again, or go Back one step and try again. If you're stuck, click Get help — it tells us which step you're on.

5Still stuck?

Email us and tell us which step you’re on. A human reads every message.

Email info@getnuxa.com

6Last checked September 25, 2026

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