---
url: https://docs.freetheai.org/guides/nextchat.md
description: >-
  Point NextChat (ChatGPT-Next-Web) at FreeTheAI with a custom OpenAI endpoint
  and custom model list to chat with free models.
---

# NextChat

NextChat uses FreeTheAI through its custom OpenAI endpoint. Add the model IDs to Custom Models so they appear in the picker.

Category: [Chat apps](/guides/#chat-apps). Before you start, you need a FreeTheAI account, an API key, and today's [check-in](/getting-started/check-in).

## Settings

| Setting | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Custom Endpoint | `On` |
| Model Provider | `OpenAI` |
| OpenAI Endpoint | `https://api.freetheai.org` |
| OpenAI API Key | Your FreeTheAI key (`ftai_...`, 53 characters) |
| Custom Models | `+fta/zai/glm-5.3,+fta/kimi/k3` |

## Steps

### Turn on the custom endpoint

Open Settings and turn on Custom Endpoint. Set Model Provider to OpenAI.

### Enter the endpoint and key

Set OpenAI Endpoint to [api.freetheai.org](https://api.freetheai.org) (NextChat adds `/v1/chat/completions`) and paste your key.

### Add your models

In Custom Models, list the models you want, separated by commas, then pick one in a chat.

## Common questions

### Why does NextChat call the wrong URL?

Enter the root address [api.freetheai.org](https://api.freetheai.org) without /v1. NextChat appends v1/chat/completions itself.

## More help

* [Every API error and its fix](/errors)
* [Limits and the daily reset](/concepts/limits)
* [NextChat website](https://nextchat.club) and [source code](https://github.com/ChatGPTNextWeb/NextChat)

::: info How this guide was checked
Checked against NextChat's source (custom endpoint settings and request paths) on 2026-09-29.
:::