> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.crazyrouter.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# ChatBox Setup Guide

> Connect Crazyrouter to ChatBox through the OpenAI-compatible provider flow, with verified model guidance, knowledge-base rollout advice, and troubleshooting

> Дата обновления: 2026-06-06

ChatBox is a widely used cross-platform AI client with Windows, macOS, Linux, and web availability. When you connect ChatBox to Crazyrouter, the safest approach is to use ChatBox's `OpenAI API Compatible` or `OpenAI API` provider flow instead of searching for a provider-specific preset.

This setup is useful because it:

* is simple for non-technical users
* lets you switch between Crazyrouter-approved models inside one desktop client
* works well for desktop chat, knowledge-base Q\&A, file reading, and everyday writing tasks

## Start Here

Use this configuration first:

* Provider / API Mode: `OpenAI API Compatible` or `OpenAI API`
* API Host: `https://api.crazyrouter.com`
* API Path: leave it blank or keep the default
* API Key: `sk-xxx`
* First validation model: `gpt-5.5`

<Note>
  According to ChatBox's current official provider documentation, the `API Path` usually does not need to be filled manually because ChatBox already has a default OpenAI-compatible chat path. For Crazyrouter docs, the safest starting point is to enter the root host `https://api.crazyrouter.com` and avoid manually forcing `/v1/chat/completions` at the beginning.
</Note>

## Who This Guide Is For

* users who want a fast desktop setup for Crazyrouter
* users who want multi-model daily chat, translation, summarization, or writing assistance
* users who want to combine ChatBox knowledge-base or file-Q\&A features with Crazyrouter
* users who want a full GUI setup without writing code

## Prerequisites

| Item                | Notes                                                                     |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Crazyrouter account | Register at [crazyrouter.com](https://crazyrouter.com) first              |
| Crazyrouter token   | Create a dedicated token for ChatBox                                      |
| ChatBox client      | Desktop is recommended because knowledge-base features are stronger there |
| Allowed models      | Start by allowing at least one chat model                                 |

Suggested first-pass allowlist:

* `gpt-5.5`
* `claude-opus-4-8`
* `gemini-3.1-pro`

## Install ChatBox

### Windows

1. Open the [ChatBox website](https://chatboxai.app/)
2. Download the Windows installer
3. Run the installer
4. Launch ChatBox after setup

### macOS

1. Open the [ChatBox website](https://chatboxai.app/)
2. Download the macOS build
3. Move it into `Applications`
4. If macOS shows a security prompt on first launch, complete the usual allow flow

### Linux

1. Open the [ChatBox website](https://chatboxai.app/)
2. Download the package or desktop build for your distribution
3. Install it and launch ChatBox

<Tip>
  If your only goal is to verify that Crazyrouter works in ChatBox, start with the desktop app and postpone multi-device sync, knowledge-base imports, and large model lists until the basic chat path is stable.
</Tip>

## Recommended Provider Setup

The exact labels may vary slightly by ChatBox version. Common entry points include:

* `Settings`
* `Model Provider`
* `AI Provider`
* `Add`

If your current version already includes `OpenAI API`, select it directly. If not, add a new `OpenAI API Compatible` provider.

## Configuration Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Step 1: Create a dedicated Crazyrouter token for ChatBox">
    On the first pass, only allow one or two models such as:

    * `gpt-5.5`
    * `claude-opus-4-8`

    A small model scope makes troubleshooting much easier.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 2: Open ChatBox settings">
    Launch ChatBox, then open the settings entry in the lower-left area and go to:

    * `Model Provider`
    * or `AI Provider`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 3: Select or add an OpenAI-compatible provider">
    Use one of these routes:

    * if `OpenAI API` already exists, select it
    * if not, click `Add` and create an `OpenAI API Compatible` provider
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 4: Enter the Crazyrouter connection values">
    Recommended values:

    * `API Host`: `https://api.crazyrouter.com`
    * `API Path`: leave blank or keep the default
    * `API Key`: `sk-xxx`

    If ChatBox asks for a provider name, `Crazyrouter` is a clear choice.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 5: Add the first model">
    For the first test, add only:

    * `gpt-5.5`

    After the minimal path works, you can add:

    * `claude-opus-4-8`
    * `gemini-3.1-pro`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 6: Use Check or Save for the first connectivity test">
    If your ChatBox version includes a `Check` button, use it first.

    If it only has `Save`, save the provider and then return to the main chat screen for validation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Step 7: Run the smallest possible chat validation">
    Create a new chat, make sure the selected model is `gpt-5.5`, and send:

    ```text theme={null}
    Reply only OK
    ```

    If you get `OK` or an equivalent short answer consistently, the main ChatBox-to-Crazyrouter path is working.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Recommended Validation Order

Follow this order instead of enabling everything at once:

1. Start with one token
2. Start with one model: `gpt-5.5`
3. Validate plain text chat first
4. Add a second model later
5. Enable knowledge base, file Q\&A, or more advanced settings only after chat is stable

## Recommended Models

| Scenario                               | Recommended model | Why                                                                                                       |
| -------------------------------------- | ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| First connectivity test                | `gpt-5.5`         | Verified successfully in production on March 23, 2026, and best suited for the OpenAI-compatible baseline |
| Higher-quality writing and explanation | `claude-opus-4-8` | Better for detailed explanation, rewriting, and summaries                                                 |
| Gemini fallback path                   | `gemini-3.1-pro`  | Useful as a second vendor-compatible validation path inside the same client                               |

## How To Use ChatBox Features With Crazyrouter

### Basic chat

This is the best first test and should always come before advanced features.

### Knowledge base / file Q\&A

Turn this on only after basic chat already works. For the first pass:

* keep files small
* keep content simple
* test with one file first

Do not start with a large knowledge-base import before confirming the API configuration itself.

### Multi-model switching

Useful when you want different models for different tasks, for example:

* default baseline chat: `gpt-5.5`
* important summaries and writing: `claude-opus-4-8`
* secondary vendor validation: `gemini-3.1-pro`

## Parameter Suggestions

If your ChatBox version exposes common generation settings, keep the first run conservative:

| Parameter        | Suggested value     | Notes                                           |
| ---------------- | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Temperature      | `0.2` to `0.7`      | Keep it moderate during validation              |
| Max Tokens       | default or moderate | Avoid very large outputs during troubleshooting |
| Context Messages | default             | Basic chat validation is enough at first        |

## Token Best Practices

| Setting                | Recommendation       | Why                                                                         |
| ---------------------- | -------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Dedicated token        | Required             | Do not share it with IDEs or automation tools                               |
| Model allowlist        | Strongly recommended | Start with only one or two models                                           |
| Spending limit         | Strongly recommended | Knowledge-base or repeated Q\&A flows can amplify cost                      |
| Environment separation | Recommended          | Separate personal desktop usage from team-shared usage                      |
| Leak response          | Rotate immediately   | Replace the key if it appears in screenshots, recordings, or screen sharing |

## Validation Checklist

* [ ] ChatBox is installed and launches normally
* [ ] A dedicated Crazyrouter token was created for ChatBox
* [ ] `OpenAI API` or `OpenAI API Compatible` is selected
* [ ] `API Host` is set to `https://api.crazyrouter.com`
* [ ] `API Path` is left blank or kept at the default
* [ ] `sk-xxx` was entered successfully
* [ ] Only `gpt-5.5` was added for the first pass
* [ ] Validation succeeded through `Check` or a minimal chat
* [ ] The request appears in Crazyrouter logs

## Common Errors And Fixes

| Symptom                              | Common cause                                                             | Fix                                                                   |
| ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 401 unauthorized                     | Token is wrong, incomplete, or expired                                   | Generate a new token and paste it again                               |
| 404                                  | Host or path is wrong                                                    | Reset Host to `https://api.crazyrouter.com` and keep the path default |
| 403 / model not allowed              | The token does not allow the selected model                              | Allow that model in Crazyrouter token settings                        |
| `model not found`                    | The model name is wrong                                                  | Switch back to `gpt-5.5` and revalidate                               |
| Save succeeds but chat fails         | Wrong provider type or the model was not actually added                  | Recheck the provider mode and model list                              |
| Knowledge-base Q\&A is slow or fails | Files are too large or the task is too complex                           | Fall back to smaller files and plain text chat                        |
| Not sure whether `/v1` is required   | Current ChatBox versions usually do not need a manually forced full path | Start with the root host and leave `API Path` blank or default        |

## FAQ

### Which provider should I select in ChatBox?

Prefer `OpenAI API` or `OpenAI API Compatible`.

### What should I enter as the API Host?

Use `https://api.crazyrouter.com`.

### Do I need to manually enter `/v1/chat/completions`?

Usually no. Based on ChatBox's official provider documentation, `API Path` typically already has a default value, so leave it blank or unchanged first.

### What should the first model be?

Start with `gpt-5.5`.

### When should I add more models or knowledge-base features?

Only after the minimal chat path is already working.

<Note>
  If your goal is "make ChatBox work first", the best approach is not to configure many models and features at once. Start with `gpt-5.5` and validate the smallest possible chat path.
</Note>