Connect a cloud API to Vanta

Vanta can connect to OpenRouter or another provider that exposes an OpenAI-compatible chat API. You supply the endpoint and your API key. The provider runs the model and handles API billing; Vanta sends requests directly to the endpoint you select.

Use OpenRouter

1. Create an API key with OpenRouter and review its billing settings.
2. Open Settings → Providers → OpenRouter in Vanta and save the key.
3. Create a model preset, select OpenRouter as its source and choose a model.
4. Select the preset in Settings → Models and send a short message.

OpenRouter uses the API base https://openrouter.ai/api/v1. Its official quickstart explains its API and model identifiers. Tools, image input and generation settings depend on the selected model and provider route.

Add a custom provider

1. Get the provider’s OpenAI-compatible API base URL and an API key.
2. Open Settings → Providers → Add provider.
3. Enter a recognizable name and the base URL.
4. Enter the key, check the connection and save the provider.
5. Create a model preset with a model identifier supplied by the provider.
6. Select the preset and verify a plain text conversation first.

Use the provider’s documented base path. Vanta adds /v1 if you enter no path, and preserves an explicit path. For example, an API under /api/v1 must keep that full path. The app appends chat/completions for chat requests; do not enter that final endpoint in the base field.

Compatibility matters more than the brand

A provider may offer several different APIs. A native API using a different message format is not interchangeable with an OpenAI-compatible endpoint. If the provider does not offer the compatible API, use a compatible gateway such as OpenRouter or your own gateway.

A successful model-list check confirms discovery and access. Test chat, then test any image or tool feature you need. Support for one feature does not establish support for the others.

Keys and costs

Vanta stores API keys in the device Keychain. Never put a key into the server URL, a system prompt or a support screenshot.

The provider may require credit, a billing account or permission for a particular model. A subscription to a consumer chat application may not grant API access. Vanta’s app purchase does not include third-party API usage.

What is sent

The remote model receives the context assembled for your request, which can include history, prompts, memories, document excerpts and tool results. Review privacy and data flow and the provider’s policy before sending sensitive information.

For 401, 403, 404 or model errors, see troubleshooting.