Cursor

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Configuring a Third-Party API (OpenAI/Anthropic) in Cursor

Cursor lets you use your own API key. The benefit is that you can spend credits you purchased yourself (such as DeepSeek or a high-multiplier relay), without being limited by the request quotas of Cursor's official subscription plans.

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Step 1: Enable API mode

1. Open Cursor.
2. Open the settings:
   • Click the gear icon (Cursor Settings) in the top-right corner.
   • Or use the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + J (Windows/Linux) or Cmd + Shift + J (macOS).

3. In the sidebar or window that opens, select the General or Models tab.
4. Find the OpenAI API Key option, turn it on, and enter your API key
5. Turn on the Override OpenAI Base URL option and enter https://anyrouter.win/v1

Step 2: Manage the model list (Models)

To make sure Cursor calls the right model, you need to manually enable or add models in the settings: Model names in Cursor must not clash with its built-in model names, so you need to pick models from the cursor category in the model marketplace

1. Find the Models section on the same settings page.

   

2. Toggle on the models you want to use (e.g. gpt-4o, claude-3-5-sonnet).

3. Add a custom model: if you are using 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. Go back to the code editor.
2. Use Ctrl + L (Chat) or Ctrl + K (Edit).
3. In the model dropdown menu at the bottom of the input box, select the third-party model you just configured.
4. Important: when using your own API key, some of Cursor's advanced features (such as certain optimizations in Composer mode) may behave slightly differently, but code generation capability depends on the API you choose.

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FAQ

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