Cursor: connect a cheap AI API
Cursor lets you drop in your own key in the model settings — no VPN, no foreign card. There's a catch with Cursor's own plan and with its tool format; it's spelled out below so you don't debug «tools[N].name missing» blind.
Cursor
AI code editor
Create an API key — Keys page → click Create key, give it a name (e.g. cursor), copy the key into clipboard. Save it — we won't show it again in plaintext.
In Cursor open ⌘, (or Ctrl , on Windows/Linux) → in the Settings panel pick Models in the left sidebar.
Find the OpenAI section, toggle the switch ON and fill the two fields:
Click Verify — Cursor will ping our endpoint with a sample request. A green check means the key works.
In the same screen find Add model → enter the model ID you need (e.g. claude-sonnet-4-6, gpt-5.5, gemini-3-pro-high) and click Add. The full list of IDs is on the Models page.
claude/opus/gpt and silently routes them to its own providers. Adding the model via «Add model» forces it through our base URL.Open the chat (⌘L), pick the model from the dropdown above the input — and ask a question. If everything is wired up, you'll see a response within seconds.
Replace YOUR_API_KEY with a real key from the Keys section.
Cursor — common questions
Cursor says «Free plans can only use Auto» — is that on your side?
No — that's Cursor's own policy since summer 2026: on the free plan your own key is refused outright, and no model name or prefix gets around it. Options: paid Cursor, or Cline for free, which has no such limit.
Getting tools[N].name missing on GPT — what now?
Cursor sends a flat tool format that breaks the OpenAI path. Workaround: turn on the Anthropic API Key option, set the override to https://cheapai.io/v1 and pick a Claude model — it goes the native route, where the format differs.
Get a key and plug it into Cursor
Claude, GPT, Gemini and Grok on one key · pay in ₽, USDT or by card · no VPN
Get API keyGuides for other tools
See also: model prices · API reference and FAQ