Cline OpenAI-compatible provider setup: Base URL, API key, and model ID

Before you start

You need a RutaAPI account, a prepaid credit pack, and an API key. Make sure your account has credits before making requests — requests without sufficient credits will return a 401 or 403 error.

How to start with RutaAPI

curl https://api.rutaapi.com/v1/models \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_RUTAAPI_KEY"

curl https://api.rutaapi.com/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_RUTAAPI_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "YOUR_ENABLED_MODEL_ID",
    "messages": [
      {"role": "user", "content": "Hello from RutaAPI"}
    ]
  }'

Who this guide is for

This guide is for Cline users who want to connect Cline to an OpenAI-compatible API gateway provided by RutaAPI.

It helps if you are familiar with API keys, Base URLs and making HTTP requests from a terminal.

Who should not use this setup

• Users whose Cline version does not support external OpenAI-compatible provider configuration.
• Users who require official Cline, OpenAI or Anthropic-only features.
• Users whose tool does not support custom API endpoints.

Testing before you start coding

Before running any Cline coding tasks, send a simple request from the terminal to confirm your key, Base URL and Model ID all work together. This rules out configuration issues before you start a real session.

If the first request succeeds, the Cline configuration should also work. If it fails, fix the terminal request first — that gives you clearer error messages than the Cline UI.

How to pick a Model ID

Model IDs are returned by the GET /v1/models endpoint. Copy one of the model id values from the response and use it as the Model ID in Cline settings.

Model availability is per-account. If a model ID is not in your /v1/models response, it is not active in your account — add more credits or contact support.

Common mistakes

• Pasting the website URL (https://rutaapi.com) as the Base URL instead of the API root.
• Pasting the dashboard URL (https://app.rutaapi.com) as the Base URL.
• Pasting https://api.rutaapi.com/v1/chat/completions as the Base URL — that is an endpoint, not the root.
• Using a key from one provider with a Base URL from another.
• Guessing the Model ID instead of copying from /v1/models.

Common errors

401 Unauthorized / invalid API key

The API key is missing, incorrect, or sent to the wrong Base URL. Verify the key and Base URL both come from RutaAPI. Run /v1/models to confirm the key is valid.

403 Forbidden

The key exists but lacks permission. Check credits and model access in your RutaAPI account.

404 Model not found

The Model ID is not in your account. Run GET /v1/models and copy a returned model id.

429 Too Many Requests

Rate or concurrency limit. Lower the number of concurrent requests and retry.

503 Service Unavailable

The provider route is temporarily unavailable. Try a short request or contact support if persistent.

When RutaAPI may be a good fit

• You need an OpenAI-compatible Base URL for Cline
• You want dashboard-generated API keys
• You want prepaid credits
• You want to verify available models with /v1/models
• You need docs for Cursor, Cline, Codex CLI and Claude Code
• You want usage visibility before scaling

When RutaAPI may not be the right fit

• Your Cline version does not support the needed provider mode
• The selected model is unavailable upstream
• Your API key belongs to another provider
• You require official Cline, OpenAI or Anthropic-only features
• You need official Cline or OpenAI-only features instead of a gateway

Related setup guides

• API Key and Base URL explained
• Unified Base URL for AI coding tools
• Cursor custom API setup guide
• Codex CLI setup with RutaAPI
• Claude Code setup with RutaAPI
• Codex CLI invalid_api_key troubleshooting
• Claude Code timeout troubleshooting
• Available models
• Pricing and credit packs