Short answer
To use an OpenAI-compatible API in Cline, select the OpenAI Compatible provider, then fill in Base URL, API Key, and Model ID. Base URL is the provider API endpoint. API Key is the authentication credential. Model ID is the model name or identifier recognized by the current provider.When this matters
- You want to use a third-party model provider in Cline
- You have an OpenAI-compatible
/v1endpoint - You need BYOK or custom models
- You see Invalid API Key, Model Not Found, or connection failures
- You want Cline and other external tools to share one model routing layer
Field meanings
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| API Provider | Choose OpenAI Compatible |
| Base URL | OpenAI-compatible endpoint from the provider |
| API Key | Secret key generated by the provider |
| Model ID | Model ID supported by the provider |
| Model configuration | Advanced settings such as context window, output limit, and prices |
Recommended steps
- Select
OpenAI Compatiblein Cline settings. - Enter the Base URL.
- Enter the API Key.
- Select or enter the Model ID.
- Verify with Cline’s verification flow or a simple request.
Common mistakes
- Mixing the official OpenAI URL with a third-party API Key.
- Putting an Anthropic-compatible URL into the OpenAI-compatible provider.
- Using a Model ID unsupported by the provider.
- Ignoring context window and output limit configuration.
- Treating Cline Rules or Memory Bank as API configuration.
About LLMEasy
Cline can connect to LLMEasy through the OpenAI-compatible provider. Usehttps://www.llmeasy.ru/v1 as Base URL, your LLMEasy key as API Key, and a model ID from the GPT Key group.
If you have a Claude Code Anthropic-compatible address, do not put it into Cline’s OpenAI Compatible provider.
Related docs
- OpenAI-compatible API vs Anthropic-compatible API
- How to configure a custom OpenAI API in Cursor
- MCP vs API Key and Base URL
- What are model_provider, base_url, and wire_api?