Proxy Tutorial for OpenRouter / Unorouter (Free Models Only)

This tutorial shows you how to set up OpenRouter / Unorouter as a proxy in your chat app using free models only — no credit card or spend required.

Why These ?

- One API key for hundreds of models, including many completely free ones

- Good for agentic workflows, long context, and general chat

- Easy setup and reliable routing

Free models change often as providers rotate capacity, so always double-check https://openrouter.ai/collections/free-models / https://unorouter.com/en/models?q=free before committing to one.

Note: Free models have rate limits and lower priority during peak times, and providers may use your inputs/outputs for training on their free tier (check individual model pages for specifics, e.g. Poolside's models note this explicitly).

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Open Your Chat App

Open your latest chat (or start a new one).

2. Go to the Proxy Tab

Tap the (using proxy) or menu icon (≣) in the top right → Settings.

3. Fill in the Configuration (using Openrouter for this example)

- Configuration Name: anything you like, e.g. "OpenRouter Free"

- Model Name: (openrouter:free) For openrouter "This is a request router" as we hit the endpoint it picks another model. Use this first so you know its working correctly, you may change it later once its setup and running.

Click one of the model links below

• OpenRoutor = Free Models

• Unorouter = Free Models

- Proxy URL:

• OpenRouter = https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/chat/completions

• Unorouter = https://api.unorouter.com/v1/chat/completions

- API Key: see below

How to Get Your OpenRouter API Key

• 1. Go to https://openrouter.ai

• 2. Sign up or log in (Google, GitHub, or email)

• 3. Select API Keys on your left tab

• 5. Click + New Key

• 6. Give it a name

• 7. (Optional) Set a $0 credit limit to guarantee you can never be charged

• 8. Click Create, then immediately copy the key (starts with sk-or-v1-...) — you won't be able to see it again

How to Get Your Unoroutor API Key

• 1. Go to https://unoroutor.com

• 2. Sign up or log in (Discord, GitHub, or email)

• 3. Select API Keys on your left tab

• 4. Click Create Key

• - Give it a name use "Jani" for this example
  - Expiration set to "No Expiration"
  - Credit Limit to "No Limit"

• 5. Click Create, Unlike the other backends your api key will be shown below you'll see Jani your newly created API key then under the key tab (starts with sk-or-v1-...) click the copy icon,note you can also view it here so no to save it
  
  

  ---

  Paste the key into the API Key field in your app.

4. Test the Configuration
Tap Test. You should see a "Valid API Key. Configuration works!" message.

5. Tap Add

6. Refresh the page (or restart the chat) and start using it.

FAQ / Troubleshooting

Error: "A network error occurred... Failed to fetch" or rate limit message.

- Double-check the API Key, Model Name, and Proxy URL for typos

- Confirm your API key hasn't been revoked

- Try refreshing the app or clearing cache

- Free models get rate-limited during peak times — wait a few minutes and retry, or switch to another free model from the table above

429 - Provider returned error

- wait your turn "traffic is high there are too many people using that model change to another"

Model ID not found:

Free model IDs sometimes change or get deprecated as providers rotate capacity. Check https://openrouter.ai/collections/free-models / https://unorouter.com/en/models?q=free for the current list before assuming your config is broken.