# Connect MiniMax through the OpenAI service

> 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.

- Canonical: https://big-agi.com/docs/connect-minimax
- Minimum tier: open  [Open ⊂ Free ⊂ Pro - a tier only ever ADDS to the Open baseline]
- Kind: provider · Last content update generation: 2026-10-23 · Review by: 2027-01-21
- Answers: Where do I create a MiniMax API key? · MiniMax is not in the Add list - how do I connect it? · The MiniMax models showed up - does that mean my key works? · Can I use my M Plan Subscription Key in Big-AGI? · Does MiniMax work with Direct Connection? · What does "login fail: Please carry the API secret key" mean?

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](https://platform.minimax.io/login), 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](https://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](https://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](https://platform.minimax.io/console/recharge-records), unless **Autobilling** refills it | The plan's [usage windows](https://platform.minimax.io/console/usage), 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](https://platform.minimax.io/docs/pricing/overview). The estimate never blocks a request.

## Setting up the OpenAI service

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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](/docs/connect-custom-endpoints).

## 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.

> **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](/docs/issue-key-and-access#upstream-responded-with-http-401-unauthorized) |
| 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](/docs/issue-key-and-access#openai-issue-unauthorized-incorrect-api-key) |
| 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](/docs/issue-key-and-access) |

## Related

- [Connect an AI service](/docs/connect-models)
- [Connect any OpenAI-compatible endpoint](/docs/connect-custom-endpoints)
- [Direct Connection](/docs/feature-direct-connection)
- [What leaves your browser](/docs/privacy-data-flow)
- [Key and access errors](/docs/issue-key-and-access)