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Use a third-party API in Cursor (OpenAI / Anthropic)

Cursor lets you bring your own API key so you can spend your own quota (e.g. DeepSeek or a relay) instead of Cursor subscription limits.

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Step 1: Enable API mode

  1. Open Cursor.
  2. Open settings:
    • Click the gear (Cursor Settings) in the upper right.
    • Or press Ctrl + Shift + J (Windows/Linux) / Cmd + Shift + J (macOS).
  1. In the sidebar or window, open General or Models.
  2. Enable the OpenAI API key field and paste your token.
  3. Enable Override OpenAI Base URL and set https://tokensmind.ai/v1

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Step 2: Manage models

To make sure Cursor calls the right models, enable or add them in settings.
Names must not collide with Cursor’s built-ins—pick models from the Cursor category in the model hub.
  1. Find the Models section in the same settings page.
  2. Toggle on the models you need (e.g. gpt-4o, claude-3-5-sonnet).
  3. Add custom models: e.g. for DeepSeek, click + Add Model.
  4. Enter the exact model id (e.g. deepseek-chat or deepseek-reasoner).

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Step 3: Use it in the editor

  1. Back in the editor.
  2. Ctrl + L (Chat) or Ctrl + K (Edit).
  3. In the model dropdown at the bottom of the input, choose your third-party model.
  4. Note: With your own key, some Cursor-only optimizations may differ; quality depends on the API you selected.

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Troubleshooting

SymptomFix
Verify failedBase URL should end at /v1, not /chat/completions.
No replyCheck third-party balance / quota.
Built-in modelsWith BYOK, Cursor usually bills your key first, not the subscription pool.