# 🔌 Providers & Model Configuration
> Back to [README](../README.md)
### Providers
> [!NOTE]
> Groq provides free voice transcription via Whisper. If configured, audio messages from any channel will be automatically transcribed at the agent level.
| Provider | Purpose | Get API Key |
| ------------ | --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `gemini` | LLM (Gemini direct) | [aistudio.google.com](https://aistudio.google.com) |
| `zhipu` | LLM (Zhipu direct) | [bigmodel.cn](https://bigmodel.cn) |
| `volcengine` | LLM(Volcengine direct) | [volcengine.com](https://www.volcengine.com/activity/codingplan?utm_campaign=PicoClaw&utm_content=PicoClaw&utm_medium=devrel&utm_source=OWO&utm_term=PicoClaw) |
| `openrouter` | LLM (recommended, access to all models) | [openrouter.ai](https://openrouter.ai) |
| `anthropic` | LLM (Claude direct) | [console.anthropic.com](https://console.anthropic.com) |
| `openai` | LLM (GPT direct) | [platform.openai.com](https://platform.openai.com) |
| `deepseek` | LLM (DeepSeek direct) | [platform.deepseek.com](https://platform.deepseek.com) |
| `qwen` | LLM (Qwen direct) | [dashscope.console.aliyun.com](https://dashscope.console.aliyun.com) |
| `groq` | LLM + **Voice transcription** (Whisper) | [console.groq.com](https://console.groq.com) |
| `cerebras` | LLM (Cerebras direct) | [cerebras.ai](https://cerebras.ai) |
| `vivgrid` | LLM (Vivgrid direct) | [vivgrid.com](https://vivgrid.com) |
| `nvidia` | LLM (NVIDIA NIM) | [build.nvidia.com](https://build.nvidia.com) |
| `moonshot` | LLM (Kimi/Moonshot direct) | [platform.moonshot.cn](https://platform.moonshot.cn) |
| `minimax` | LLM (Minimax direct) | [platform.minimaxi.com](https://platform.minimaxi.com) |
| `avian` | LLM (Avian direct) | [avian.io](https://avian.io) |
| `mistral` | LLM (Mistral direct) | [console.mistral.ai](https://console.mistral.ai) |
| `longcat` | LLM (Longcat direct) | [longcat.ai](https://longcat.ai) |
| `modelscope` | LLM (ModelScope direct) | [modelscope.cn](https://modelscope.cn) |
### Model Configuration (model_list)
> **What's New?** PicoClaw now uses a **model-centric** configuration approach. Simply specify `vendor/model` format (e.g., `zhipu/glm-4.7`) to add new providers—**zero code changes required!**
This design also enables **multi-agent support** with flexible provider selection:
- **Different agents, different providers**: Each agent can use its own LLM provider
- **Model fallbacks**: Configure primary and fallback models for resilience
- **Load balancing**: Distribute requests across multiple endpoints
- **Centralized configuration**: Manage all providers in one place
#### 📋 All Supported Vendors
| Vendor | `model` Prefix | Default API Base | Protocol | API Key |
| ------------------- | ----------------- |-----------------------------------------------------| --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **OpenAI** | `openai/` | `https://api.openai.com/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://platform.openai.com) |
| **Anthropic** | `anthropic/` | `https://api.anthropic.com/v1` | Anthropic | [Get Key](https://console.anthropic.com) |
| **智谱 AI (GLM)** | `zhipu/` | `https://open.bigmodel.cn/api/paas/v4` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://open.bigmodel.cn/usercenter/proj-mgmt/apikeys) |
| **DeepSeek** | `deepseek/` | `https://api.deepseek.com/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://platform.deepseek.com) |
| **Google Gemini** | `gemini/` | `https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://aistudio.google.com/api-keys) |
| **Groq** | `groq/` | `https://api.groq.com/openai/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://console.groq.com) |
| **Moonshot** | `moonshot/` | `https://api.moonshot.cn/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://platform.moonshot.cn) |
| **通义千问 (Qwen)** | `qwen/` | `https://dashscope.aliyuncs.com/compatible-mode/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://dashscope.console.aliyun.com) |
| **NVIDIA** | `nvidia/` | `https://integrate.api.nvidia.com/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://build.nvidia.com) |
| **Ollama** | `ollama/` | `http://localhost:11434/v1` | OpenAI | Local (no key needed) |
| **OpenRouter** | `openrouter/` | `https://openrouter.ai/api/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://openrouter.ai/keys) |
| **LiteLLM Proxy** | `litellm/` | `http://localhost:4000/v1` | OpenAI | Your LiteLLM proxy key |
| **VLLM** | `vllm/` | `http://localhost:8000/v1` | OpenAI | Local |
| **Cerebras** | `cerebras/` | `https://api.cerebras.ai/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://cerebras.ai) |
| **VolcEngine (Doubao)** | `volcengine/` | `https://ark.cn-beijing.volces.com/api/v3` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://www.volcengine.com/activity/codingplan?utm_campaign=PicoClaw&utm_content=PicoClaw&utm_medium=devrel&utm_source=OWO&utm_term=PicoClaw) |
| **神算云** | `shengsuanyun/` | `https://router.shengsuanyun.com/api/v1` | OpenAI | - |
| **BytePlus** | `byteplus/` | `https://ark.ap-southeast.bytepluses.com/api/v3` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://www.byteplus.com) |
| **Vivgrid** | `vivgrid/` | `https://api.vivgrid.com/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://vivgrid.com) |
| **LongCat** | `longcat/` | `https://api.longcat.chat/openai` | OpenAI | [Get Key](https://longcat.chat/platform) |
| **ModelScope (魔搭)**| `modelscope/` | `https://api-inference.modelscope.cn/v1` | OpenAI | [Get Token](https://modelscope.cn/my/tokens) |
| **Azure OpenAI** | `azure/` | `https://{resource}.openai.azure.com` | Azure | [Get Key](https://portal.azure.com) |
| **Antigravity** | `antigravity/` | Google Cloud | Custom | OAuth only |
| **GitHub Copilot** | `github-copilot/` | `localhost:4321` | gRPC | - |
#### Basic Configuration
```json
{
"model_list": [
{
"model_name": "ark-code-latest",
"model": "volcengine/ark-code-latest",
"api_key": "sk-your-api-key"
},
{
"model_name": "gpt-5.4",
"model": "openai/gpt-5.4",
"api_key": "sk-your-openai-key"
},
{
"model_name": "claude-sonnet-4.6",
"model": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6",
"api_key": "sk-ant-your-key"
},
{
"model_name": "glm-4.7",
"model": "zhipu/glm-4.7",
"api_key": "your-zhipu-key"
}
],
"agents": {
"defaults": {
"model_name": "gpt-5.4"
}
}
}
```
#### Vendor-Specific Examples
**OpenAI**
```json
{
"model_name": "gpt-5.4",
"model": "openai/gpt-5.4",
"api_key": "sk-..."
}
```
**VolcEngine (Doubao)**
```json
{
"model_name": "ark-code-latest",
"model": "volcengine/ark-code-latest",
"api_key": "sk-..."
}
```
**智谱 AI (GLM)**
```json
{
"model_name": "glm-4.7",
"model": "zhipu/glm-4.7",
"api_key": "your-key"
}
```
**DeepSeek**
```json
{
"model_name": "deepseek-chat",
"model": "deepseek/deepseek-chat",
"api_key": "sk-..."
}
```
**Anthropic (with API key)**
```json
{
"model_name": "claude-sonnet-4.6",
"model": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6",
"api_key": "sk-ant-your-key"
}
```
> Run `picoclaw auth login --provider anthropic` to paste your API token.
**Anthropic Messages API (native format)**
For direct Anthropic API access or custom endpoints that only support Anthropic's native message format:
```json
{
"model_name": "claude-opus-4-6",
"model": "anthropic-messages/claude-opus-4-6",
"api_key": "sk-ant-your-key",
"api_base": "https://api.anthropic.com"
}
```
> Use `anthropic-messages` protocol when:
> - Using third-party proxies that only support Anthropic's native `/v1/messages` endpoint (not OpenAI-compatible `/v1/chat/completions`)
> - Connecting to services like MiniMax, Synthetic that require Anthropic's native message format
> - The existing `anthropic` protocol returns 404 errors (indicating the endpoint doesn't support OpenAI-compatible format)
>
> **Note:** The `anthropic` protocol uses OpenAI-compatible format (`/v1/chat/completions`), while `anthropic-messages` uses Anthropic's native format (`/v1/messages`). Choose based on your endpoint's supported format.
**Ollama (local)**
```json
{
"model_name": "llama3",
"model": "ollama/llama3"
}
```
**Custom Proxy/API**
```json
{
"model_name": "my-custom-model",
"model": "openai/custom-model",
"api_base": "https://my-proxy.com/v1",
"api_key": "sk-...",
"request_timeout": 300
}
```
**LiteLLM Proxy**
```json
{
"model_name": "lite-gpt4",
"model": "litellm/lite-gpt4",
"api_base": "http://localhost:4000/v1",
"api_key": "sk-..."
}
```
PicoClaw strips only the outer `litellm/` prefix before sending the request, so proxy aliases like `litellm/lite-gpt4` send `lite-gpt4`, while `litellm/openai/gpt-4o` sends `openai/gpt-4o`.
#### Load Balancing
Configure multiple endpoints for the same model name—PicoClaw will automatically round-robin between them:
```json
{
"model_list": [
{
"model_name": "gpt-5.4",
"model": "openai/gpt-5.4",
"api_base": "https://api1.example.com/v1",
"api_key": "sk-key1"
},
{
"model_name": "gpt-5.4",
"model": "openai/gpt-5.4",
"api_base": "https://api2.example.com/v1",
"api_key": "sk-key2"
}
]
}
```
#### Migration from Legacy `providers` Config
The old `providers` configuration is **deprecated** but still supported for backward compatibility.
**Old Config (deprecated):**
```json
{
"providers": {
"zhipu": {
"api_key": "your-key",
"api_base": "https://open.bigmodel.cn/api/paas/v4"
}
},
"agents": {
"defaults": {
"provider": "zhipu",
"model": "glm-4.7"
}
}
}
```
**New Config (recommended):**
```json
{
"model_list": [
{
"model_name": "glm-4.7",
"model": "zhipu/glm-4.7",
"api_key": "your-key"
}
],
"agents": {
"defaults": {
"model_name": "glm-4.7"
}
}
}
```
For detailed migration guide, see [migration/model-list-migration.md](migration/model-list-migration.md).
### Provider Architecture
PicoClaw routes providers by protocol family:
- OpenAI-compatible protocol: OpenRouter, OpenAI-compatible gateways, Groq, Zhipu, and vLLM-style endpoints.
- Anthropic protocol: Claude-native API behavior.
- Codex/OAuth path: OpenAI OAuth/token authentication route.
This keeps the runtime lightweight while making new OpenAI-compatible backends mostly a config operation (`api_base` + `api_key`).
Zhipu
**1. Get API key and base URL**
* Get [API key](https://bigmodel.cn/usercenter/proj-mgmt/apikeys)
**2. Configure**
```json
{
"agents": {
"defaults": {
"workspace": "~/.picoclaw/workspace",
"model_name": "glm-4.7",
"max_tokens": 8192,
"temperature": 0.7,
"max_tool_iterations": 20
}
},
"providers": {
"zhipu": {
"api_key": "Your API Key",
"api_base": "https://open.bigmodel.cn/api/paas/v4"
}
}
}
```
**3. Run**
```bash
picoclaw agent -m "Hello"
```
Full config example
```json
{
"agents": {
"defaults": {
"model_name": "anthropic/claude-opus-4-5"
}
},
"session": {
"dm_scope": "per-channel-peer"
},
"providers": {
"openrouter": {
"api_key": "sk-or-v1-xxx"
},
"groq": {
"api_key": "gsk_xxx"
}
},
"channels": {
"telegram": {
"enabled": true,
"token": "123456:ABC...",
"allow_from": ["123456789"]
},
"discord": {
"enabled": true,
"token": "",
"allow_from": [""]
},
"whatsapp": {
"enabled": false,
"bridge_url": "ws://localhost:3001",
"use_native": false,
"session_store_path": "",
"allow_from": []
},
"feishu": {
"enabled": false,
"app_id": "cli_xxx",
"app_secret": "xxx",
"encrypt_key": "",
"verification_token": "",
"allow_from": []
},
"qq": {
"enabled": false,
"app_id": "",
"app_secret": "",
"allow_from": []
}
},
"tools": {
"web": {
"brave": {
"enabled": false,
"api_key": "BSA...",
"max_results": 5
},
"duckduckgo": {
"enabled": true,
"max_results": 5
},
"perplexity": {
"enabled": false,
"api_key": "",
"max_results": 5
},
"searxng": {
"enabled": false,
"base_url": "http://localhost:8888",
"max_results": 5
}
},
"cron": {
"exec_timeout_minutes": 5
}
},
"heartbeat": {
"enabled": true,
"interval": 30
}
}
```
---
## 📝 API Key Comparison
| Service | Pricing | Use Case |
| ---------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| **OpenRouter** | Free: 200K tokens/month | Multiple models (Claude, GPT-4, etc.) |
| **Volcengine CodingPlan** | ¥9.9/first month | Best for Chinese users, multiple SOTA models (Doubao, DeepSeek, etc.) |
| **Zhipu** | Free: 200K tokens/month | Suitable for Chinese users |
| **Brave Search** | $5/1000 queries | Web search functionality |
| **SearXNG** | Free (self-hosted) | Privacy-focused metasearch (70+ engines) |
| **Groq** | Free tier available | Fast inference (Llama, Mixtral) |
| **Cerebras** | Free tier available | Fast inference (Llama, Qwen, etc.) |
| **LongCat** | Free: up to 5M tokens/day | Fast inference |
| **ModelScope** | Free: 2000 requests/day | Inference (Qwen, GLM, DeepSeek, etc.) |
---
