Best first step
Mock ProviderUse Mock Provider when you want to learn the workflow without real model usage.
Workflow
Choosing a Provider
Provider choice controls how opheli.ai reaches model execution. Your keys. Your spend. Our execution layer. opheli.ai stores your provider credential encrypted and uses it server-side; provider usage is controlled and billed by the connected Provider.
Guide summary
Use this page to understand the surface before you act inside it.
Compare Mock Mode, Free/BYOK providers, and production BYOK providers before launching real work.
Guide type
WorkflowThis guide reflects the current product workflow and surface ownership.
Sections
4Summary first, then steps, mistakes, and recovery notes.
Related guides
7Written against the current product structure and core execution workflow.
Lightweight testing
Gemini, Groq, OpenRouterFree/BYOK options can be useful for experiments, but provider-controlled limits may apply.
Production posture
Dedicated BYOK keyFor critical Runs, use a dedicated Provider key and monitor provider usage directly.
Guide section
Provider comparison
Mock Provider
Best for testing the flow.
Mode: Demo.
Cost: none.
Notes: simulated execution, not real AI output.
Google Gemini
Best for lightweight chat and general tasks.
Mode: Free/BYOK.
Cost responsibility: Google/Gemini account.
Notes: free-tier availability, limits, and policies are provider-controlled.
Groq
Best for fast lightweight chat and simple Copilot responses.
Mode: Free/BYOK.
Cost responsibility: Groq account.
Notes: rate limits and model access are provider-controlled.
OpenRouter
Best for model experimentation and low-cost/free/community model choice.
Mode: Free/BYOK.
Cost responsibility: OpenRouter/model provider account.
Notes: model availability and limits may vary.
OpenAI
Best for production-quality execution.
Mode: BYOK.
Cost responsibility: OpenAI account.
Notes: monitor usage in the OpenAI dashboard.
Anthropic
Best for reasoning, review, and writing.
Mode: BYOK.
Cost responsibility: Anthropic account.
Notes: monitor usage in the Anthropic console.
Guide section
Free Provider Mode
Free Provider Mode is best for lightweight testing, Help Center questions, and simple Copilot conversations. Free tiers are controlled by the provider and may be rate-limited, unavailable, or subject to provider-specific data policies.
For production Runs, connect your own dedicated Provider key and monitor usage inside the Provider dashboard.
Warning
No free usage guarantee
Some Providers offer free tiers, but opheli.ai does not control availability, rate limits, prices, or provider data policies.
Guide section
Cost confidence
Every provider cost shown in opheli.ai should be read with its confidence label. Verified by Provider means the connected Provider returned a usable cost signal. Estimated by opheli.ai means the platform calculated a planning estimate from token usage and the current price table.
Pending Provider Sync means opheli.ai is trying to refresh provider-side usage where the Provider supports it. Provider cost unavailable means the Provider or key cannot provide a reliable cost signal, so you should check the Provider dashboard directly.
BYOK charges confirmed by your Provider are determined by that connected Provider unless opheli.ai explicitly introduces managed credits later.
OpenAI
Verified costs require an API key with organization usage/cost permissions.
Anthropic
Verified costs require access to Anthropic Usage & Cost Admin API.
OpenRouter
Usage can be marked verified when response-level cost accounting is returned.
Gemini
opheli.ai estimates Gemini usage; verify final charges in Google AI Studio or Google Cloud Billing.
Guide section
How to choose
I want to learn the product.
Use Mock Provider first.
I want a low-cost or free-tier experiment.
Try Gemini, Groq, or OpenRouter with your own key and expect provider-controlled limits.
I want a production deliverable.
Use a dedicated BYOK key for the provider and model you trust for that work.
Who pays model usage?
Your connected Provider account pays or controls usage. opheli.ai platform access is separate.