LobsterAI Model Configuration Guide

This guide details how to configure mainstream domestic (Chinese) AI models, helping you integrate them into LobsterAI.

📖 What is an API Key?

Basic Concept

Imagine this:

  • The AI Model is a super-smart assistant running on the provider’s cloud server.
  • The API Key is an exclusive access pass given to you by the provider.
  • LobsterAI is the tool that helps you connect to and use these AI models.

Usage Workflow

  1. Register an account on the AI provider’s website.
  2. Get the API Key provided by that service.
  3. Configure the API Key inside LobsterAI.
  4. You can now use that model within LobsterAI.

Cost Explanation

  • LobsterAI itself is free; we do not charge any fees.
  • AI model services are provided by their respective companies, and fees are paid directly to them.
  • It’s like the relationship between WeChat (Free) and Didi Taxi (Paid): WeChat is the tool, but the taxi service requires separate payment.

🎯 Supported Domestic Models

LobsterAI supports the following domestic AI model providers:

Provider Key Features Official Website
DeepSeek High cost-performance ratio https://platform.deepseek.com
Zhipu AI Tsinghua University tech background, GLM series https://open.bigmodel.cn
Qwen (Tongyi) Alibaba Cloud AI model service https://dashscope.aliyun.com
Moonshot Kimi model supporting ultra-long context https://platform.moonshot.cn
MiniMax Provides multi-modal AI capabilities https://www.minimaxi.com

📋 Configuration Overview

The configuration process is basically the same for all models:

1️⃣ Register Account → 2️⃣ Real-name Verification → 3️⃣ Get API Key → 4️⃣ Top up Account → 5️⃣ Configure in LobsterAI

⚡ Quick Jump (For Registered Users)

If you have already registered an account with a provider, you can jump directly based on your situation:

Scenario 1: Have Account, API Key, and Balance

Jump directly to: Select your provider and find the “Configure in LobsterAI” section.

Scenario 2: Have Account, but NO API Key

Action: Log in to the platform → Find “API Management” or “Key Management” → Create a new Key → Then jump to “Configure in LobsterAI” above.

Scenario 3: Have Account and API Key, but Insufficient Balance

Action: Log in to the platform → Enter “Top up” or “Billing Center” → Recharge → Then jump to “Configure in LobsterAI” above.

Scenario 4: Completely New User

Action: Please follow the full tutorials below starting from Step 1.

Below are detailed configuration steps for each provider.

🔧 DeepSeek Configuration Tutorial

Step 1: Register DeepSeek Account

  1. Open Website: Enter https://platform.deepseek.com in your browser.
  2. Click Register: Find the “Login/Register” button and click to enter.
  3. Fill in Registration Info:
  • You can choose to register via Phone, Email, or WeChat scan.
  • Enter Phone/Email or scan code.
  • Click “Get Verification Code”.
  • Enter the received code.
  • Set a login password.
  1. Complete Registration: Click the “Register” button.

Step 2: Real-name Verification

According to national regulations, using AI services requires real-name verification.

  1. Enter Verification Page: After logging in, the system may prompt for verification, or click “Personal Information” in the bottom left to enter.
  2. Fill in Verification Info:
  • Enter real name.
  • Enter ID card number.
  • Upload photos of the front and back of your ID card.
  1. Wait for Audit: Wait for the system audit after submission; usually completed within minutes.

Step 3: Get API Key

The API Key is the secret key to access the model service. Please keep it safe.

  1. Enter API Management: Click “API Keys” in the left menu.
  2. Create New Key:
  • Click the “Create API Key” button.
  • Name the key (e.g., “LobsterAI”).
  • Click “Create”.
  1. Copy and Save Key:
  • After creation, a long string of characters will appear, looking like sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxx.
  • Click the “Copy” button.
  • ⚠️ Important: The key is shown only once. Save it immediately.

💾 Reference Saving Methods:

  • Save to computer Notepad/Memo.
  • Send to WeChat “File Transfer Assistant”.
  • Save to phone notes.

Step 4: Account Top Up

  1. Enter Top Up Page: Click “Account Top Up” in the left menu.
  2. Select Amount:
  • Check the minimum top-up requirement.
  • Select an appropriate amount.
  • Supports Alipay and WeChat Pay.
  1. Complete Payment:
  • Choose payment method.
  • Scan code to pay.
  • Balance will update after success.

Step 5: Configure in LobsterAI

  1. Open LobsterAI Settings:
  • Launch LobsterAI.
  • Click the “Settings” icon (gear ⚙️) in the top right.
  • Click the “Models” option on the left.
  1. Find DeepSeek: Locate “DeepSeek” in the model list.
  2. Fill Configuration Info:
  • Enable Switch: Click the toggle to enable.
  • API Key: Paste the key you copied earlier.
  • API Base URL: Use the default URL.
  • Model Selection: Choose the available model as needed.
  1. Test Connection:
  • Click the “Test Connection” button.
  • Check connection status.
  • If failed, please check:
  • Is the API Key complete (no extra spaces)?
  • Is the Base URL correct?
  • Is the account balance sufficient?
  1. Save Configuration: Click “Save” after a successful test.

Start Using

After configuration:

  1. Return to the chat interface.
  2. Select “DeepSeek” in the model selector.
  3. Start conversing.

🎓 Zhipu AI (GLM) Configuration Tutorial

Step 1: Register Zhipu AI Account

  1. Open Website: Enter https://open.bigmodel.cn in browser.
  2. Click Register: Click the “Register” button in the top right.
  3. Fill Registration Info:
  • Choose Phone, Email, or WeChat scan.
  • Get and enter verification code.
  • Set login password.
  1. Complete Registration: Click “Register”.

Step 2: Get API Key

  1. Enter Console: Enter the console after successful registration.
  2. Enter API Management: Click “API Keys” in the top right.
  3. Create Key:
  • Click “Create new API Key”.
  • Enter key name.
  • Click “Confirm”.
  1. Copy Key:
  • Copy the displayed API Key and save it.
  • ⚠️ The key is shown only once; please be sure to save it.

Step 3: Real-name Verification

According to regulations, AI services require real-name verification.

  1. Enter Verification Page: The system will prompt you after login, or you can complete it in the console.
  2. Fill Info:
  • Real name.
  • ID card number.
  • Upload ID card photos.
  1. Wait for Audit: Usually completed within minutes.

Step 4: Check Account Balance

  1. Check Balance: Click Avatar in top right → “Account Balance”.
  2. View Available Quota: Check available balance and gifted quota.

Step 5: Account Top Up

  1. Enter Top Up Page: Click “Finance” → “Account Balance” → “Go to Top Up”.
  2. Select Method:
  • Online: Alipay/WeChat.
  • Corporate Transfer: For enterprise users.
  1. Complete Payment.

Step 6: Configure in LobsterAI

  1. Open Settings: LobsterAI → Settings ⚙️ → Models.
  2. Find Zhipu AI: Locate “Zhipu GLM” in the list.
  3. Fill Config:
  • Enable: Turn on switch.
  • API Key: Paste Zhipu AI key.
  • API Base URL: Use default.
  • Model: Select desired model.
  1. Test and Save: Click “Test Connection” → then “Save”.

☁️ Alibaba Qwen (Tongyi Qianwen) Configuration Tutorial

Step 1: Register Alibaba Cloud Account

If you have a Taobao/Alipay account, you can log in directly.

  1. Open Aliyun: Enter https://www.aliyun.com.
  2. Click Register: Click “Free Register” or “Login” in the top right.
  • Existing users: “Login”.
  • New users: “Free Register”.
  1. Complete Registration:
  • Enter phone number.
  • Verify code.
  • Set password.
  • Click “Register”.

⚠️ Important: You must complete Real-name Verification on Alibaba Cloud to use Bailian services.

Step 2: Complete Real-name Verification

  1. Enter Verification Page:
  • Found under the user avatar menu “Real-name Verification”.
  1. Fill Info:
  • Real name, ID number, ID photos.
  1. Wait for Audit: Usually fast. ✅ Status will show “Completed”.

Step 3: Activate Alibaba Cloud Bailian Service

Important: Qwen uses the Alibaba Cloud Bailian (Model Studio) platform.

  1. Open Bailian Console:
  • Browser: https://bailian.console.aliyun.com
  • Or via product page: https://www.aliyun.com/product/bailian click “Console”.
  1. First Time Activation:
  • Find “Free Trial” or “Activate Now”.
  • Agree to agreements and activate.
  1. Enter Console Home:
  • You can now create keys.

Step 4: Create API Key

  1. Enter API Key Management:
  • Left menu “API Key” or visit https://bailian.console.aliyun.com/?tab=model#/api-key.
  1. Create New Key:

  • Click “Create API Key”.

  • Config:

  • Account: Main account (Numeric ID).

  • Workspace: Default Workspace.

  • Click “Confirm”.

  1. Copy and Save:
  • Format: sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
  • ⚠️ Shows once only. Save safely.

Step 5: Check Free Quota (New Users)

  1. Check Quota:
  • Click “Model Usage” or visit https://bailian.console.aliyun.com/?tab=model#/model-usage/free-quota.
  • Click “Free Quota” tab.
  1. Enable “Stop when Exhausted” (Recommended):
  • Toggle “Stop when free quota exhausted” for the model.
  • Prevents accidental charges.

⚠️ Updates hourly.

Step 6: Account Top Up

  1. Enter Recharge Page:
  • Console top right “Expenses” or “Recharge”.
  1. Select Amount:
  • Choose amount.
  • Supports Alipay/WeChat/Bank Transfer.
  1. Complete Payment.

Step 7: Configure in LobsterAI

  1. Open LobsterAI Settings: Settings ⚙️ → Models.
  2. Find Qwen: Locate “Qwen” or “Tongyi Qianwen”.
  3. Fill Info:
  • Enable: On.
  • API Key: Paste Aliyun Key.
  • Base URL: Default.
  • Model: Select (e.g., qwen-plus, qwen-max).
  1. Test and Save.

Start Using

  1. Select “Qwen” in the chat interface.
  2. Start conversation.

🌙 Moonshot (Kimi) Configuration Tutorial

Step 1: Register Moonshot

  1. Website: https://platform.moonshot.cn
  2. Register: Phone number registration.

Step 2: Real-name Verification

  1. Enter Verification: Avatar → “Real-name Verification”.
  2. Fill Info: Name, ID, Photos.
  3. Wait.

Step 3: Get API Key

  1. API Management: Left menu → “API Key Management”.
  2. Create Key.
  3. Copy Save.

Step 4: Top Up

  1. Finance: Left menu → “Account Top Up”.
  2. Pay.

Step 5: Configure in LobsterAI

  1. Settings: Models → Moonshot.
  2. Fill: API Key, Base URL (default), Model.
  3. Test and Save.

🎨 MiniMax Configuration Tutorial

Step 1: Register MiniMax

  1. Website: https://platform.minimaxi.com
  2. Register.

Step 2: Real-name Verification

  1. Enter Page: Prompted after login.
  2. Fill Info.
  3. Wait.

Step 3: Create Key

  1. Account Mgmt: Left menu → “Account Management”.
  2. Create:
  • Click “Interface Keys”.
  • Create new key.
  1. Copy.

Step 4: Top Up

  1. Top Up: “Account Management” → “Balance” → “Recharge Now”.

Step 5: Configure in LobsterAI

  1. Settings: Models → MiniMax.
  2. Fill:
  • API Key: Paste Key.
  • Group ID: Paste Group ID (Required).
  • Base URL: Default.
  • Model.
  1. Test and Save.

❓ FAQ

1. I already have an account, how to configure quickly?

Step 1: Log in to the provider, check:

  • ✅ Is there a valid API Key?
  • ✅ Is the balance sufficient?

Step 2: Open LobsterAI Settings → Models → Find provider.

Step 3: Fill Config: Switch On, Paste Key, Base URL, Test & Save.

Quick Find: Use links in Configuration Overview.

2. API Key says Invalid?

Check:

  • Extra spaces?
  • Key complete?
  • Sufficient balance?
  • Base URL correct?

Fix: Re-copy key, check balance, verify URL format.

3. Connection Failed?

Error Cause Fix
“API Key Invalid” Key wrong/incomplete Re-copy full key
“Insufficient Balance” No money Top up
“Network Error” Internet issue Check network
“Service Unavailable” Provider down Check provider website

4. How to view billing?

DeepSeek: Background → Left menu “Consumption Details”. Zhipu AI: Console → “Account Balance” → “Records”. Qwen: Aliyun Console → “Expenses” → “Details”. Moonshot: Billing Center → “Records”.

5. Can I configure multiple models?

Yes. You can switch between them in chat.

6. Lost API Key?

Platform View Again? Fix
DeepSeek No Delete old, create new
Zhipu AI No Create new
Qwen Yes View in API-KEY page
Moonshot No Create new
MiniMax Yes View in App Details

7. Which provider to choose?

  1. Check official websites for features.
  2. Configure multiple and test.
  3. Choose based on results.