> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.alquimia.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Model Connections

> Register reusable model connections so agents can use them for inference.

Model Connections tell agents which model to use, where it is hosted, and how to authenticate. Each entry is reusable across multiple agents in your workspace.

## Adding a model connection

Click **Add Model Connection** and fill in the form:

| Field               | Description                                                                                                                     |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Name**            | A friendly name shown in the agent builder (e.g., "GPT-4o Production", "Claude Sonnet Production")                              |
| **Connection type** | Where the model is hosted — OpenAI, Anthropic, Groq, OpenShift AI, Hugging Face, or Custom endpoint                             |
| **Model ID**        | The identifier your provider expects (e.g., `gpt-4o`, `claude-sonnet-4-20250514`, `meta-llama/Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct`)           |
| **Endpoint**        | Shown based on connection type — custom URL for OpenShift or self-hosted servers; optional for Hugging Face dedicated endpoints |
| **Credentials**     | API key stored as a [secret](/core-concepts/secrets) in the vault                                                               |

Studio configures the technical connection for you. You choose where the model lives; agents reference the connection by name.

## Connection types

| Connection type     | When to use                                        | Example Model IDs                                       |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- |
| **OpenAI**          | OpenAI or OpenAI-compatible cloud APIs             | `gpt-4o`, `gpt-4o-mini`                                 |
| **Anthropic**       | Claude models                                      | `claude-sonnet-4-20250514`, `claude-3-5-haiku-20241022` |
| **Groq**            | Groq-hosted models                                 | `llama-3.3-70b-versatile`, `mixtral-8x7b-32768`         |
| **OpenShift AI**    | Models served in your OpenShift cluster            | `llama-3-8b-instruct`, `mistral-7b-instruct`            |
| **Hugging Face**    | Dedicated Inference Endpoints or Hub repo IDs      | `meta-llama/Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct`                      |
| **Custom endpoint** | vLLM, TGI, LM Studio, or other self-hosted servers | `llama-3`, `mistral-7b`                                 |

<Tip>
  For local or self-hosted OpenAI-compatible servers (Ollama, vLLM, TGI), choose **Custom endpoint** and set the full base URL (e.g., `http://localhost:11434/v1`).
</Tip>

## Credentials become secrets

When you save a model connection with a new API key, Studio:

1. Stores the key in the Registry secrets store with a suggested name (e.g., `OPENAI_API_KEY`, `OPENSHIFT_AI_API_KEY`)
2. References the secret in the connection config — the raw key is never stored in plain text

See [Secrets](/core-concepts/secrets) for how this works.

**To rotate a key**: Edit the connection and enter a new secret value. All agents using that connection pick up the new key automatically.

## Endpoint guidance

| Connection type     | Endpoint behavior                                                                                       |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **OpenAI**          | Default endpoint works for api.openai.com; use custom URL only for proxies or gateways                  |
| **Anthropic**       | Endpoint is configured automatically                                                                    |
| **Groq**            | Default Groq endpoint is used automatically                                                             |
| **OpenShift AI**    | Base URL of your model's inference route in the cluster (usually ending in `/v1`)                       |
| **Hugging Face**    | Required for dedicated Inference Endpoints; leave empty for serverless Hub models using `org/model` IDs |
| **Custom endpoint** | Full base URL of your server (e.g., `http://localhost:11434/v1`)                                        |

## Using connections in agents

When creating or editing an agent, select an existing model connection from the inference tab. You do not re-enter credentials — agents inherit authentication from the connection.

## Next steps

<Card title="Creating an Agent" icon="robot" href="/platform/agent-creation/overview">
  Once you have a model connection, you are ready to create your first agent.
</Card>