Settings and safety
Configure AI providers
Use Aside models, connect existing AI subscriptions, bring your own API key, or run local models.
Use Settings > Models to choose which model providers Aside can use.
Provider types
Aside supports four provider types.
Aside
Use models included with your Aside plan.
Subscription
Reuse a supported AI subscription you already pay for.
API
Bring your own provider API key.
Local
Run models on your computer with Ollama or LM Studio.
Connected providers appear under Settings > Models > Providers. Aside labels built-in plan models with your current Aside plan, subscription providers as Subscription, API-key providers as API, and local providers as Local.
Use Aside plan models
The Aside provider uses the models included with your Aside plan. Sign in to an Aside cloud account to use built-in Aside models.
Free users can use the free Aside model set. Pro and Max plans include more Aside model access, including priority models where the current plan allows them.
Connect an existing AI subscription
Open Settings > Models > Providers, choose Connect, then choose a provider under Subscription.
Current subscription providers include:
ChatGPT Subscription: reuse your ChatGPT subscription with Codex access, including Plus, Pro, and Business seats with Codex enabled.Claude Subscription: reuse your Claude Pro or Max subscription.GitHub Copilot: reuse your GitHub Copilot subscription.
Aside opens an OAuth sign-in flow for these providers. Finish the sign-in in the popup, then return to Aside. Aside can show usage indicators for supported subscription providers.
For ChatGPT Business, your workspace must allow local Codex use. Choose that workspace during sign-in. A Business subscription does not require a separate personal Plus or Pro subscription.
Bring your own API key
Open Settings > Models > Providers, choose Connect, then choose a provider under API.
Current API-key providers include:
- Anthropic
- OpenAI
- OpenRouter
- xAI
- Vercel AI Gateway
- Cloudflare AI Gateway
API-key providers are useful when you want Aside to route model calls through your own provider account. After you connect a key, you can edit it or disconnect the provider from the provider action menu.
Run local models
Aside supports local models through Ollama and LM Studio without a Claude or OpenAI account.
- Install Ollama or LM Studio, download a model that supports tool calling, and start its local server.
- Open
Settings > Models > Providers, chooseConnect, then chooseOllamaorLM StudiounderLocal. - Keep the default
Base URLwhen the server runs on your computer. Aside useshttp://localhost:11434/v1for Ollama andhttp://localhost:1234/v1for LM Studio. LeaveAPI Keyempty unless your server requires one. - Open
Select models, choose your model, and chooseConnect. - Select the connected local model in your task's model picker, or set it as the default under
Settings > Models > Task models.
The local server must stay running while Aside uses the model. Model capabilities and your computer's resources affect which tasks it can complete.
Choose models
Open Settings > Models > Task models to choose the default model and review available model categories. Open Settings > Agents > Chat to choose follow-up behavior. See Use follow-ups for task behavior while a run is active.