Quick Setup Guide: OpenRouter + DeepSeek

Ssshhhhh....I know, I know, you don't want to read definitions or explanations, you just want the damn instructions on setting up a proxy so you can get back to that unbelievably angsty roleplay. Let's do it! We'll use OpenRouter (easiest free option) and DeepSeek (a popular model).

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sign Up: Go to openrouter.ai, click "Sign Up" (free). Create an account.

2. Get Your Key: Click your profile > "Keys" > Create a key. Copy it (save in a digital note app—it's like a password!).

3. Open JanitorAI: Log in at janitorai.com, start/create a chat.

4. API Settings: In the chat (top-right), click the gear icon > "API Settings" > "Add Configuration".

5. Fill It In:

• Config Name: My Free DeepSeek
• Model Name: deepseek/deepseek-chat-v3-0324:free (copy-paste exactly!)
• Proxy URL: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1/chat/completions (copy-paste exactly—don't click it!)
• API Key: Paste your key from Step 2 (no extra spaces).
• Custom Prompt: Leave blank for now (we'll cover later).

6. Save & Test: Click "Add", then "Save Settings". Refresh the page. Send a test message—if it works, yay! (If not, jump to Troubleshooting).

7. Chat Away: You get 50 free messages/day (resets at midnight UTC). For more, add $10 once for 1000/day forever.

Done! Now go, go my pretty, and fly back to your hallowed roleplaying halls. Type harder you Shakespearean poet! The bots await you!

And uh...if you ever do manage to tear yourself away, here's a proper absolute beginners guide to proxy!

Updated on: 01/08/2025