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Add a New AI Model

Adding a model is usually quick. You’re not rewriting the whole app — you’re plugging into an existing system.

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The Process

1

Check provider support

Make sure the provider is already supported in the repo (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Groq, xAI, DeepSeek, Replicate). If it’s a new provider, you’ll need to add it first.
2

Add the provider API key

Set the provider’s API key in your .env.local file if you haven’t already.
3

Choose the right registry

Not every model lives in the same file:
  • lib/ai/models.ts — shared chat/text model registry
  • app/(apps)/image-studio/lib/models.ts — Image Studio catalog
  • app/(apps)/video-studio/lib/models.ts — Video Studio catalog
4

Answer these questions about your model

Before you expose it in the UI, think through:
  • Does it support text?
  • Does it support vision (image input)?
  • Does it support browsing/web search?
  • Does it support thinking/reasoning controls?
  • Should it be free or credit-gated?
These answers affect the user experience just as much as the model name.
5

Test in Chat first

The Chat app is the best place to verify a new model works. Test streaming, tool usage, and any special capabilities.
6

Expose in other apps (if it fits)

Only add the model to other apps (Image Studio, Vision, etc.) if it actually fits those workflows. Not every model belongs everywhere.

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The Main Files

  • lib/ai/models.ts — shared chat/text model catalog
  • app/(apps)/image-studio/lib/models.ts — image generation catalog
  • app/(apps)/video-studio/lib/models.ts — video generation catalog
Start with the catalog that matches the app surface you are changing.

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Common Mistakes

Watch out for these pitfalls when adding models:
  • Forgetting the provider key — you added the model name but didn’t set the API key
  • Wrong capability flags — exposing a text-only model in a vision flow
  • Assuming shared capabilities — just because one model from a provider supports browsing doesn’t mean they all do
  • Too many similar models — exposing 5 variations of the same model makes the UI harder to use, not better
When in doubt, start with fewer models and expand later. A clean model picker with 4-5 great options beats a cluttered dropdown with 15 confusing choices.