About Chutes

Chutes.ai is a decentralized serverless AI compute platform built on Bittensor Subnet 64, enabling developers to deploy, run, and scale AI models without managing infrastructure. The platform processes nearly 160 billion tokens daily serving over 400,000 users with up to 90% lower costs than traditional providers through a distributed network of GPU miners compensated with TAO tokens. Key features include always-hot serverless compute with instant inference, model-agnostic support for LLMs, image, and audio models plus custom code, fully abstracted infrastructure handling provisioning and scaling automatically, standardized API access with OpenRouter integration, and open pay-per-use pricing. The roadmap includes long-running jobs, fine-tuning capabilities, AI agents, and Trusted Execution Environments for enhanced privacy, with a startup accelerator offering up to $20,000 in credits.

Step by step guide to use Chutes API Key to chat with AI

I. Get Your Chutes API Key

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

  1. Visit Chutes's API console
  2. Sign up or log in to your account
  3. Navigate to the API keys section
  4. Generate a new API key (copy it immediately as some providers only show it once)
  5. Save your API key in a secure password manager or encrypted note

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. Connect Your Chutes API Key on TypingMind

Once you have your Chutes API key, connecting it to TypingMind to chat with AI is straightforward:

Option 1: Use the built-in Chutes provider (recommended)

The quickest way. TypingMind already has Chutes set up, so you only need to add your API key.

  1. Open TypingMind and click "Models" in the left sidebar.
  2. Search for Chutes.
  3. Click the settings (gear) button next to Chutes.
  4. Paste your API key and save.
Built-in providers with settings buttons on the TypingMind Models page

Option 2: Add the model manually

If you can't find the provider or model ID in the official list, you can add the model manually:

  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-ai/DeepSeek-V3 via Chutes (or your preferred name)
    Model ID: deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V3 for example (check Chutes model list)
    Context Length: Enter the model's context window (e.g., 163840 for deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V3)
    Add Custom Model dialog in TypingMind filled in for deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V3

  3. Set up authentication

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

    API Type: OpenAI Chat Completions API
    Endpoint URL: https://llm.chutes.ai/v1/chat/completions
    Authentication Type: API Key via HTTP Header
    Header Key: Authorization
    Header Value: Bearer <CHUTES_API_KEY>
    Chutes 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-V3

  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 Chutes models

Now you can start chatting with Chutes models through TypingMind:

  • Select Chutes models 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 Chutes models on TypingMind

💡 Pro tips for better results:

IV. Monitor Your AI Usage and Costs

One of the biggest advantages of using API keys with TypingMind is cost transparency and control. Unlike fixed subscriptions, you pay only for what you actually use. Visit your Chutes usage dashboard to monitor your API usage and set spending limits.

💡 Cost-saving tips:
  • Use less expensive models for simple tasks
  • Keep prompts concise but specific to reduce token usage
  • Use TypingMind's prompt caching to reduce repeat costs (How to enable prompt caching)
  • Using RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) for large documents to reduce repeat costs (How to use RAG)
TypingMindChutes

Why TypingMind + Chutes?

Chat with Chutes models and 200+ other models in one workspace, using your own Chutes API key.

Best-in-class UI

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

Model flexibility

Switch between Chutes models and 200+ models instantly.

Cost control

Pay only for what you use through Chutes.

One-time purchase

Buy TypingMind once, use forever with any Chutes model.

Data privacy

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

Plugins, MCP, Skills & AI agents

Extend Chutes models with web search, image generation, and custom AI agents.

Try TypingMind for free

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a subscription to use Chutes with TypingMind?

No. With your own Chutes 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 the Chutes API cost?

Chutes charges per token, and prices vary by model. For example, deepseek-ai/DeepSeek-V3 costs $0.3/1M input tokens and $1.2/1M output tokens. A typical conversation costs around $0.01-0.10, depending on the model and length.

Which Chutes models can I use in TypingMind?

Any model your Chutes API key can access. You can switch between Chutes models and models from other providers in the same TypingMind chat.

Is my data private when using Chutes 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 Chutes with your API key, so check Chutes's data policy for how it handles API requests.