Source: https://eugeneplexus.com/guides/add-a-provider

[Guides](https://eugeneplexus.com/guides) · v0.2.1

# Use OpenRouter, Gemini or OpenAI beside local models

Use Gemini, OpenAI, OpenRouter, ElevenLabs, or your Claude Code or Codex subscription beside your local models, through one address.

A cloud account or subscription sits beside your own models, behind the same address, with the same keys and routing.

1.  Open **Backends** and choose **Add an external backend**. On Home, **Add an existing app or subscription** goes to the same place.
2.  Under **Which app?**, choose one:
    -   **Google Gemini API**, **OpenAI API**, **OpenRouter**, **xAI (Grok)** or **MiniMax**: paste the **API key** the provider gave you. Make a Gemini key in Google AI Studio, at aistudio.google.com/apikey.
    -   **Claude (Pro/Max subscription via Claude Code CLI)** or **ChatGPT (subscription via Codex CLI)**: install that program on the machine and sign in to it first. Eugene uses its sign-in.
    -   **Local — Ollama** or **Local — LM Studio**: the address and key are optional.
    -   **Any OpenAI-compatible server, by its URL**: its **Address** and **API key**.
3.  Press **Add**.
4.  Under **Which models?**, keep **Every model it lists**, or pick **One model**, and press **Save**. A subscription asks **Which model?** instead.
5.  Try it in the **Playground**, or from any app on Eugene’s address.

**Good to know**

-   A key marked local-only never falls back to a cloud provider.
-   A subscription answers as a model only. It runs no tools or shell commands on the machine hosting it.
-   A model is offered tools unless the provider has shown it cannot use them, and a setting it ignores is named in the `x-eugene-plexus-ignored-settings` response header.
-   Messages sent to a cloud provider go to that provider, and it bills you as it normally would.

Want models to search the web too? [Add web search to your local models](https://eugeneplexus.com/guides/add-web-search).

Something different on your screen? [Tell us on GitHub](https://github.com/eugene-plexus/specs/issues/new?title=Guide%3A%20Use%20OpenRouter%2C%20Gemini%20or%20OpenAI%20beside%20local%20models), with your version and what you saw.

[All guides](https://eugeneplexus.com/guides)