How to use DeepSeek-R1 with your Hugging Face API key on TypingMind

Learn how to access and use DeepSeek-R1 with your Hugging Face API key through TypingMind. Get started with this AI model in minutes.

Classic open reasoning model for transparent math, coding, and deliberate problem solving

Hugging Face is the leading open-source AI platform and community hub, providing access to hundreds of thousands of models, datasets, and AI applications through its Inference Providers API.

The platform offers a unified OpenAI-compatible API endpoint (router.huggingface.co) that routes requests to multiple inference providers including Cerebras, Fireworks, Groq, Nebius, Novita, SambaNova, Together AI, and more, giving you access to top open-source models like Llama, Mistral, DeepSeek, Qwen, and Gemma.

Key features include pay-per-token pricing with free tier access, support for text generation, image generation, and multimodal models, seamless switching between inference providers, and integration with the broader Hugging Face ecosystem of tools and libraries.

See the official Hugging Face documentation for more details.

DeepSeek-R1 Overview

Model NameDeepSeek-R1
ProviderHugging Face
Model IDdeepseek-ai/DeepSeek-R1
Model LogoGet the logo URL
Release DateJan 20, 2025
Last UpdatedMay 29, 2025
Knowledge Cutoff2024-07
Context Window64,000 tokens
Max Output32,768 tokens
Pricing /1M tokens$0.70 input
$2.50 output
Input Modalitiestext
Output Modalitiestext
Capabilities
ReasoningTool CallingStructured OutputTemperature ControlOpen Weights

Complete Setup Guide

I

Get Your Hugging Face API Key

First, you'll need to obtain an API key from Hugging Face. This key allows you to access their AI models directly and pay only for what you use.

  1. Go to huggingface.co and create a free account if you don't have one.

  2. Open your Access Tokens settings and click + Create new token.

  3. Select Fine-grained as the token type and give it a name, for example typingmind. Under Inference, enable Make calls to Inference Providers. The other Inference permissions are only needed for dedicated Inference Endpoints.

    Create Hugging Face access token with Inference permissions

  4. Click Create token and copy the token. This is your <HF_TOKEN>.

Sometimes, this provider will require you to add a payment method to your account before you can use your API key to chat with AI. So, to avoid any hiccups, make sure you've got a payment method set up and ready to go!

Important: Keep your API key secure and never share it publicly. Store it safely as you'll need it to connect with TypingMind.

II

Configure TypingMind with Hugging Face API Key

  1. Open the Models page

    Open TypingMind, click "Models" in the left sidebar, then click "Add custom model" in the top right corner.

    TypingMind Models page with the Add custom model button
  2. Enter the model details

    Keep "Create Manually" selected and fill in the model details:

    Name: DeepSeek-R1 via Hugging Face (or your preferred name)
    Model ID: deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-R1 for example (check Hugging Face model list)
    Context Length: Enter the model's context window (e.g., 64000 for deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-R1)
    Add Custom Model dialog in TypingMind filled in for deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-R1
  3. Set up authentication

    In the "Authentication" tab, set the connection details:

    API Type: OpenAI Chat Completions API
    Endpoint URL: https://router.huggingface.co/v1/chat/completions
    Authentication Type: API Key via HTTP Header
    Header Key: Authorization
    Header Value: Bearer <HF_TOKEN>
    Hugging Face authentication settings in TypingMind
  4. Add pricing (optional)

    Open the "Pricing" tab and enter the model's input, output, and cache prices per 1M tokens so TypingMind can estimate your usage costs.

    Pricing settings in TypingMind for deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-R1
  5. Check the capabilities

    In the "Capabilities" tab, keep "Auto check capabilities on save" on so TypingMind detects supported features like plugins, image input, and thinking, or enable them manually.

    Custom model capabilities settings in TypingMind
  6. Test and save

    Click "Test & Save" to verify the connection and add the model.

III

Start chatting with DeepSeek-R1

Now you can start chatting with DeepSeek-R1 through TypingMind:

  • Select DeepSeek-R1 from the model dropdown menu
  • Start typing your message in the chat input
  • Enjoy faster responses and better features than the official interface
  • Switch between different AI models as needed
Chat with DeepSeek-R1 from Hugging Face on TypingMind

💡 Pro tips for better results:

TypingMindHugging Face

Why TypingMind + Hugging Face?

Chat with DeepSeek-R1 and 200+ other models in one workspace, using your own Hugging Face API key.

Best-in-class UI

TypingMind's interface is far superior to standard chat UIs.

Model flexibility

Switch between DeepSeek-R1 and 200+ models instantly.

Cost control

Pay only for what you use through Hugging Face.

One-time purchase

Buy TypingMind once, use forever with any Hugging Face model.

Data privacy

Your conversations are stored locally by default, not on external servers.

Plugins, MCP, Skills & AI agents

Extend DeepSeek-R1 with web search, image generation, and custom AI agents.

Try TypingMind for free

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a subscription to use DeepSeek-R1?

No. With your own Hugging Face API key, you pay only for what you use, with no monthly subscription. TypingMind is also a one-time purchase, not a subscription.

How much does it cost to use DeepSeek-R1?

DeepSeek-R1 costs $0.70/1M input tokens and $2.50/1M output tokens via Hugging Face. A typical conversation costs around $0.01-0.10, depending on length.

Can I use other models besides DeepSeek-R1?

Yes. Any model your Hugging Face API key can access works in TypingMind, and you can switch between it and models from other providers in the same chat.

Is my data private when using DeepSeek-R1 with TypingMind?

TypingMind stores your conversations locally (in your browser on the web version, on your device in the desktop app). Your messages are sent to Hugging Face with your API key, so check Hugging Face's data policy for how it handles API requests.

What token permissions do I need for the Hugging Face access token?

You need a Fine-grained token with "Make calls to Inference Providers" permission enabled under the Inference section. Optionally, you can also enable "Make calls to your Inference Endpoints" if you use dedicated endpoints.

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