# How to Use OpenAI Codex CLI your own AI API Key? 

> Unlock the potential of Codex CLI with Zeabur AI Hub

<AIHubShutdownNotice />

# How to Use OpenAI Codex CLI your own AI API Key?

The **Codex CLI** is a powerful interface for interacting with AI in your terminal. However, locking yourself into a single provider limits your potential.

By connecting the Codex CLI to [**Zeabur AI Hub**](https://zeabur.com/ai-hub), you can route your queries to **any top-tier model** (like Claude, Grok, or Gemini) using the exact same tool. This setup works on a **pay-as-you-go** basis—no need to juggle multiple subscriptions for different AI providers.

Here is how to set it up.

## 🧱 Prerequisites

1. **Install Codex CLI**:
    
    ```bash
    npm install -g @openai/codex
    
    ```
    
2. **Zeabur Credentials**:
    - Go to your Zeabur Dashboard to get your **AI Hub API Key**.
3. **Choose your Endpoint**
    
    Zeabur currently provides two endpoints. Pick the one geographically closest to you:
    
    - **Asia (Tokyo):** `https://hnd1.aihub.zeabur.ai/`
    - **US West (San Francisco):** `https://sfo1.aihub.zeabur.ai/`

---

## ⚙️ Quick Setup Guide

You need to configure Codex to talk to Zeabur's unified API instead of a specific provider directly.

### 1. Create the Configuration File

Create or edit the config file at `~/.codex/config.toml`. Paste the following configuration to define Zeabur as a provider:

```toml
# Default model to use
model = "gemini-3-pro-preview"
model_provider = "zeabur"

[model_providers.zeabur]
name = "Zeabur AI Hub"
# Note: Ensure you append /v1 to the endpoint
base_url = "<https://hnd1.aihub.zeabur.ai/v1>"
env_key = "ZEABUR_API_KEY"
wire_api = "chat"

```

### 2. Set your API Key

You need to make your API key available to the tool.

**Option A: Just trying it out (Temporary)**

For a single session usage:

```bash
export ZEABUR_API_KEY="your-zeabur-api-key"
codex "Who are you?"

```

**Option B: Set it and forget it (Permanent)**

To avoid setting the key every time, add it to your shell profile.

1. Open your shell configuration (e.g., `~/.zshrc` or `~/.bashrc`):
    
    ```bash
    nano ~/.zshrc
    
    ```
    
2. Paste this line at the bottom:
    
    ```bash
    export ZEABUR_API_KEY="your-zeabur-api-key"
    
    ```
    
3. Save and reload: `source ~/.zshrc`

---

## 💸 Start Coding (With Any Model)

Now you can use the CLI tool with the flexibility to switch models on the fly.

**Basic Usage:**

```bash
codex "Write a hello world function in Python"

```

**Switching Models:**

You can override the default model defined in your config using the `-m` flag.

```bash
# Use Gemini
codex -m gemini-3-pro-preview "hi"

# Use Claude
codex -m claude-sonnet-4-20250514 "hi"

# Use GPT-4o
codex -m gpt-4o "hi"

```

**Why this is better:**

- **Flexibility:** Switch between Grok, Claude, and GPT without changing tools.
- **Cost Efficiency:** Pay only for the tokens you use via Zeabur, rather than paying fixed monthly fees for multiple AI subscriptions.

---

## 🔧 Troubleshooting

If you run into issues:

- **401 Unauthorized:**
    - Check that `base_url` in your config includes `/v1`.
    - Verify your environment variable is set: `echo $ZEABUR_API_KEY`.
- **Model Not Found:**
    - Ensure the model name (e.g., `gpt-4o`) is currently supported by Zeabur AI Hub. Check the Zeabur dashboard for the list of available model IDs.

Happy Coding!