> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.dashsquad.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AI Providers

> Connect to Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, Moonshot (Kimi), OpenRouter, or any major LLM provider.

Each agent in your team can use a different AI provider and model. Mix and match Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Moonshot (Kimi) directly — or use OpenRouter to reach hundreds of models (DeepSeek, Llama, Qwen, Grok, GLM, and more) through a single key.

## Provider routing

Model names use a `provider/model` format. The prefix before the slash tells Dash which provider to use:

| Prefix        | Provider        |
| ------------- | --------------- |
| `anthropic/`  | Anthropic       |
| `openai/`     | OpenAI          |
| `google/`     | Google          |
| `moonshotai/` | Moonshot (Kimi) |
| `openrouter/` | OpenRouter      |

For example, `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514` routes to Anthropic and `openai/gpt-4o` routes to OpenAI.

OpenRouter models keep the upstream vendor in the name, so they carry a second prefix: `openrouter/<vendor>/<model>`, e.g. `openrouter/deepseek/deepseek-r1` or `openrouter/anthropic/claude-opus-4.8`.

## Configuring credentials

Each provider needs an API key. The recommended approach is through **Desktop**, which stores keys in an AES-256-GCM encrypted credential store. Open **Settings → AI Providers**, select your provider, and paste your key.

For standalone HQ usage (no Desktop), set credentials via environment variables instead — for example in an `.env` file or your Docker environment.

A trusted [plugin](/plugins#provider-credentials) can also contribute additional providers here, which you connect the same way as the built-in ones.

### Environment variables

| Variable             | Provider        |
| -------------------- | --------------- |
| `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`  | Anthropic       |
| `OPENAI_API_KEY`     | OpenAI          |
| `GOOGLE_API_KEY`     | Google          |
| `MOONSHOT_API_KEY`   | Moonshot (Kimi) |
| `OPENROUTER_API_KEY` | OpenRouter      |

## Anthropic

Sign up at [console.anthropic.com](https://console.anthropic.com) to get an API key.

**Example models:**

* `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514` — balanced performance and speed
* `anthropic/claude-opus-4-20250514` — highest capability

**Configuration:**

```env theme={null}
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-...
```

## OpenAI

Sign up at [platform.openai.com](https://platform.openai.com) to get an API key.

**Example models:**

* `openai/gpt-4o` — multimodal, fast
* `openai/o3` — advanced reasoning

**Configuration:**

```env theme={null}
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-...
```

## Google

Sign up at [aistudio.google.com](https://aistudio.google.com) to get an API key.

**Example models:**

* `google/gemini-2.0-flash` — fast, efficient
* `google/gemini-2.5-pro` — highest capability

**Configuration:**

```env theme={null}
GOOGLE_API_KEY=AIza...
```

## Moonshot (Kimi)

Sign up at [platform.moonshot.ai](https://platform.moonshot.ai) to get an API key. Moonshot's API is OpenAI-compatible and Kimi models support tool use and streaming.

**Example models:**

* `moonshotai/kimi-k2.6` — general-purpose Kimi K2
* `moonshotai/kimi-k2.7-code` — coding-focused

<Note>
  Use the `moonshotai/` prefix (not `kimi/` or `moonshot/`) — it routes to Moonshot's global endpoint (`api.moonshot.ai`). Dash currently surfaces the Kimi K2 family.
</Note>

**Configuration:**

```env theme={null}
MOONSHOT_API_KEY=sk-...
```

## OpenRouter

[OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai) is a single OpenAI-compatible gateway that fronts many upstream providers. With one OpenRouter key you can reach models Dash doesn't connect to directly — DeepSeek, Llama, Qwen, Grok, GLM, and more — and OpenRouter automatically fails over to a healthy upstream provider if one is down. Sign up at [openrouter.ai](https://openrouter.ai) and create a key on the [Keys page](https://openrouter.ai/settings/keys).

**Example models:**

* `openrouter/deepseek/deepseek-r1` — DeepSeek R1 reasoning
* `openrouter/qwen/qwen3-max` — Qwen3 Max
* `openrouter/x-ai/grok-4.3` — xAI Grok
* `openrouter/anthropic/claude-opus-4.8` — Claude, billed through OpenRouter

<Note>
  OpenRouter model names carry the upstream vendor: `openrouter/<vendor>/<model>`. Your OpenRouter key starts with `sk-or-v1-` — a plain `sk-...` key is an OpenAI key and won't route here. Routing a model you also have natively (e.g. Claude) through OpenRouter bills per token from your OpenRouter credits rather than your direct provider subscription.
</Note>

**Configuration:**

```env theme={null}
OPENROUTER_API_KEY=sk-or-v1-...
```

## Using a provider in an agent

When you deploy or edit an agent in Desktop, pick its model from the dropdown — it lists models for every provider you've connected, in `provider/model` format. Each agent can use a different provider, and the prefix tells Dash which API to call:

* `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-20250514`
* `openai/gpt-4o`
* `google/gemini-2.0-flash`

You can also set a chain of [fallback models](/agents#fallback-models) from different providers so an agent keeps working if one provider has an outage.