Setup guide

Connect to SillyTavern.

Takes about five minutes. You'll need your API key and base URL from your dashboard — keep that tab open.

STEP 01

Open the API Connections panel

Click the plug icon in the top toolbar to open API Connections.

[ screenshot: SillyTavern top toolbar, plug icon highlighted ]

STEP 02

Select Chat Completion → Custom (OpenAI-compatible)

For API, choose Chat Completion, then set the source to Custom (OpenAI-compatible).

[ screenshot: API dropdown set to Chat Completion / Custom ]

STEP 03

Enter your base URL and key

Paste the Base URL from your dashboard into "Custom Endpoint (Base URL)", and your API key into "API Key". Click Connect.

[ screenshot: Custom Endpoint + API Key fields filled in, Connect button ]

STEP 04

Choose your model

Once connected, the model dropdown will populate automatically — select it from the list.

[ screenshot: model dropdown populated after connecting ]

STEP 05

Start chatting

Open or create a character and send a message. If you get an error, re-check the URL and key for extra spaces, and confirm your dashboard shows a positive balance.

Using JanitorAI instead? See that guide →