Connecting a provider

Before you connect

You need an account with the provider you want to use and access to its models. API access can have separate billing from a consumer chat subscription. Check your provider’s account and billing settings before making requests.

An API key is a credential. Enter it only in the provider connection control, never into a conversation, screenshot, or public project file.

Connect in the desktop app

1. Open Settings → Providers.
2. Choose your provider from the available options.
3. Follow the connection method shown: an API key or provider-supported sign-in.
4. Return to your session and open the model selector.
5. Select a model from that provider and send a short test prompt.

The supported sign-in methods differ by provider and release. If a method is not offered, use a supported alternative; do not paste a browser session token in place of an API key.

Who pays for the request?

With your own provider connection, that provider bills usage under your account. Virillio account access and provider billing are separate. Read how billing works today before choosing a paid model.

Replace or disconnect a key

Use the connection controls in Providers. If a key was exposed, revoke it in the provider’s dashboard and create a replacement. Removing a connection from Virillio does not itself invalidate the provider’s key.

Connection errors

For an authentication error, confirm that the key belongs to the selected provider and has the required access. For quota or payment errors, check the provider’s balance and limits. If the connection works but one model fails, test another model available to the same account.