Conclusion
- The winning provider is the one your tool can call reliably — not just the cheapest model.
- Confirm four fields first: base_url, API key header, model name, and streaming/tool-call compatibility.
- DeepSeek and Qwen are strong low-cost coding routes; GLM/SiliconFlow are useful China-friendly fallbacks.
- A single compatible relay reduces repeated RooCode/Cline/Kilocode config drift across machines.
What to do next
- Create a small test project and run one edit, one explanation, and one failed-test repair prompt.
- Set provider type to OpenAI-compatible or custom endpoint, then enter base_url, key, and exact model name.
- Disable unsupported features if needed: parallel tool calls, strict JSON mode, or nonstandard streaming.
- Compare outputs from DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM, and a stronger fallback on the same repository task.
- Move shared team configs to environment variables or a gateway so each tool uses the same endpoint contract.
Recommended paths
| Provider | Free / credits | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DeepSeek | Signup/current credit varies | Low-cost code edits and reasoning loops |
| Qwen | Bailian signup credits vary | Coding agents, long context, China-friendly setup |
| Zhipu GLM | Signup tokens vary | Domestic fallback and GLM tests |
| OpenRouter | Free models, rate limited | Fast no-card compatible endpoint testing |
| OpenLLMAPI | Signup credit varies | One endpoint for multiple coding tools and models |
Global developer checklist
- Confirm whether signup, billing, and API keys work from your country before writing production code.
- Prefer OpenAI-compatible endpoints when you may need to switch models, regions, or providers later.
- Test free credits with a real smoke prompt and record latency, error shape, streaming behavior, and quota burn.
- Keep at least one fallback route for provider outages, model deprecations, and regional access changes.
Production handoff
One compatible endpoint for all coding tools
Use one OpenAI-compatible key across RooCode, Cline, Kilocode, Cursor, and OpenClaw, then route tasks to DeepSeek, Qwen, GLM, GPT, Claude, or Gemini as needed.
FAQ
Why does Cline or RooCode fall back to the wrong endpoint?
Common causes are provider type mismatch, missing trailing /v1 path, wrong model name, stale workspace settings, or a tool-specific default provider override.
Can I use free APIs for coding agents?
Yes for tests, but coding agents often hit rate limits. Keep a paid low-cost route and a stronger fallback for stuck tasks.
Which model should I start with?
Start with DeepSeek for low-cost loops, Qwen for coding/context, then add a stronger model only for planning and final review.
Do all OpenAI-compatible APIs support tool calls?
No. Test function/tool calls, JSON mode, streaming, and error formats before assuming drop-in compatibility.