Connect MiniMax through the OpenAI service
new

Pick MiniMax under the OpenAI service's API Endpoint, paste a pay-as-you-go or M Plan key, then confirm with a reply: the model list fills even with a wrong key.

MiniMax Supported Models ->

Browse documentation

MiniMax connects through Big-AGI's OpenAI service: pick MiniMax in its API Endpoint list, then paste a MiniMax key. Big-AGI lists MiniMax's models even for a wrong key, so the test is a first reply.

Pay-as-you-go or M Plan

Register on platform.minimax.io, the global platform Big-AGI connects to. Then create the key that matches how you pay. Pay-as-you-go keys come from platform.minimax.io/console/access, where MiniMax's docs name the button Create new secret key. An M Plan subscription issues a Subscription Key instead, under Plan Details at platform.minimax.io/console/plan. Subscription Keys start sk-cp-.

	Pay-as-you-go key	M Plan Subscription Key
Paid from	A prepaid USD balance, drawn down per request	The subscription
Stops at	An empty balance, unless Autobilling refills it	The plan's usage windows, extended by any credit packs you bought (drawn by default)
Models	Every listed model	The plan's models only

MiniMax documents no starting credit for pay-as-you-go, so confirm the balance is funded first. A balance alert warns by email and stops nothing. Big-AGI estimates costs from its own copy of MiniMax's rates. The estimate never blocks a request.

Setting up the OpenAI service

Open Models (Ctrl + Shift + M), press More Services if the Setup AI Models wizard opens, then Add -> OpenAI. With an OpenAI service already set up, press the small Add on the OpenAI tile instead (Add another OpenAI-compatible service). The tile itself reopens that service, and pointing it at MiniMax replaces its models.
Press Advanced if API Endpoint is not showing, then pick MiniMax, listed under Example Providers. Do this before pasting: a key pasted first goes to OpenAI.
Paste your key, pay-as-you-go or Subscription Key, into API Key and press Models.

The result is still an OpenAI service, so its errors and tooltips name OpenAI. Its MiniMax setup guide menu item opens the custom endpoints page.

Testing the key

Send a short message to a MiniMax model your key covers. A reply proves the key works, and a refused key returns an error. The model list proves nothing here: whenever MiniMax refuses the key, Big-AGI shows its built-in MiniMax catalog instead. A wrong key, an empty field and both key types show the same models, with no error on the setup screen.

Big-AGI's team curates that catalog, and updates reach existing services on the next app load. A model MiniMax launches between updates shows as [?] <id>, without context size or price. It appears only for an accepted key.

In Big-AGI, MiniMax's models reason before every answer. Where a model offers Reasoning Effort, unset means MiniMax's maximum; lower it for shorter reasoning.

Direct Connection

MiniMax accepts requests sent straight from the browser, so Direct Connection is available. It stays off until you switch it on under Advanced. Its row appears there once MiniMax is picked.

Note

Direct Connection works only with your API key stored in the browser, and with an AI service that permits direct browser calls (CORS). Where it cannot be used, requests route through the Big-AGI fast edge servers instead - everything still works, within the standard upload size and time limits.

When this doesn't work

What you see	What it means	What to do
`[Service Issue] Openai` with `HTTP 401` and `login fail: Please carry the API secret key in the 'Authorization' field of the request header (1004)`	MiniMax sends this one text for a wrong, revoked, missing or mainland-China key.	Re-copy or recreate the key on the global platform: key and access errors
An error containing `Incorrect API key`	The key reached OpenAI, because API Endpoint was still empty.	Pick MiniMax under API Endpoint, then press Models to clear it: key and access errors
An M Plan key answers on some models and fails on others	The plan covers fewer models than Big-AGI lists.	Choose a model the plan includes, or use a pay-as-you-go key: key and access errors

<- Previous

Connect MiniMax through the OpenAI servicenew