OPENAI-COMPATIBLE API

Switch models through one compatible endpoint—not a rewritten SDK

An OpenAI-compatible interface reduces model switching to three configuration values: base URL, API key, and model. OK-API connects DeepSeek and other providers behind that stable interface and centralizes access, quotas, and usage.

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Unified endpoint

Unified API key

SSE

Streaming

BYOK

Provider governance

What the compatibility layer solves

Application code needs a stable request protocol even when model providers change. A gateway absorbs provider differences so applications can keep familiar SDK, message, and streaming code.

Reduce the code touched by a new model
Make model choice a runtime configuration
Reuse existing retries, logs, and types

Compatible does not mean identical

Models still differ in thinking controls, tool arguments, context limits, and error behavior. Validate every capability you use and leave room for provider-specific fields when required.

Test streaming chunk aggregation
Validate multi-turn tool messages
Do not assume every model supports every parameter

Migrate from one model safely

Keep your current model at first and change only the gateway URL and key. After the regression suite passes, introduce DeepSeek or another model one workload at a time.

Capture a baseline from the current endpoint
Verify status codes and error handling
Enable new models per workload

Make model access governable

A unified endpoint is also an access-control boundary. Separate keys by application, restrict model access and quotas, and keep a single usage record for attribution and revocation.

Issue one key per application
Limit permitted models and quotas
Never expose a server key in browser code

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a different SDK for an OpenAI-compatible API?+

Usually not. In most cases, keep the OpenAI SDK and update the base URL, API key, and model.

Will every OpenAI parameter work with every model?+

No. Protocol compatibility does not make underlying model capabilities identical. Verify supported parameters with model documentation and real requests.

Can DeepSeek Harness use the same compatible endpoint?+

Yes. A Harness custom provider can point to the OpenAI-compatible endpoint and use the same authentication and model discovery flow.

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