> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ade-ac1c6011-ade-im-seeing-error-messag-eright-58df792e.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect an AI provider

> Add a provider credential so ADE can start agents and worker runs.

## Open AI provider settings

Press `Cmd+,` (macOS) or `Ctrl+,` (Windows/Linux), or open **Settings** and select **AI Providers**.

***

## Add one provider first

ADE works best once you have at least one verified provider configured. There are two types:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="API key providers">
    Paste an API key and ADE verifies the connection immediately.

    <CardGroup cols={3}>
      <Card title="Anthropic (Claude)" icon="sparkles" color="#7C3AED">
        Best default — works with chat, worker runs, CTO, and automations. Keys start with `sk-ant-`.
      </Card>

      <Card title="OpenAI (GPT)" icon="circle" color="#059669">
        Good for structured output and GPT-family models. Keys start with `sk-`.
      </Card>

      <Card title="OpenRouter" icon="shuffle" color="#2563EB">
        Route to hundreds of models through one key. Great for cost optimization.
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>

    These are the most common providers. Additional API-key providers (e.g. Google Gemini, Mistral, Ollama) are available in the **Settings → AI Providers** panel.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Paste the API key">
        Enter the credential into the correct provider field.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Save">
        Click **Save** — ADE stores the credential locally in `.ade/local.secret.yaml` (never committed to git).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Verify">
        ADE runs a lightweight check to confirm the credential works. A green indicator means you're ready.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="CLI and SDK providers">
    ADE detects installed CLIs and SDK-backed provider keys automatically.

    <CardGroup cols={3}>
      <Card title="Claude Code" icon="terminal" color="#7C3AED">
        Install the `claude` CLI and sign in. ADE detects it automatically.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Codex" icon="terminal" color="#059669">
        Install the `codex` CLI globally (`npm i -g @openai/codex`) and authenticate.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Cursor" icon="arrow-pointer" color="#2563EB">
        Add a Cursor API key. ADE uses Cursor's agent through the Cursor SDK.
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>

    <Note>
      Local CLIs and SDK-backed provider keys are checked during onboarding and on each app launch. If you install a CLI or add a provider key after starting ADE, open **Settings** and select **AI Providers**, then click **Refresh** to re-detect.
    </Note>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Which provider should I start with?

| If you want...                   | Use this               | Why                                                         |
| -------------------------------- | ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| The most complete ADE experience | **Anthropic (Claude)** | Works everywhere — chat, worker runs, CTO, automations      |
| You already use Cursor daily     | **Cursor**             | ADE integrates through the Cursor SDK with a Cursor API key |
| Cost flexibility                 | **OpenRouter**         | Route different agent roles to different models             |
| Privacy / offline work           | **Ollama (local)**     | No API key, runs entirely on your machine                   |

<Warning>
  ADE is local-first. Provider calls go directly from your machine to the model provider. ADE never proxies your requests through its own servers.
</Warning>