Connect Big-AGI to an uncensored OpenAI-compatible API
Big-AGI is an open-source chat app you can use at big-agi.com or self-host. Its OpenAI service accepts a custom API Endpoint and, by default, sends requests through the Big-AGI server, so the Wild West API works.
Set it up
- Sign in at wildwestapi.com/signup/ with the six-digit code sent to your email, open the dashboard and create an API key. It starts with sk-ww- and is shown in full once, so copy it somewhere safe.
- Open the Models dialog and add a new service, choosing OpenAI.
- Turn on the advanced options so the API Endpoint field shows.
- Type https://wildwestapi.com into API Endpoint (with or without /v1).
- Paste your sk-ww- key into API Key and optionally set Custom Name to Wild West.
- Leave Direct Connection off (it should read "Via server (default)").
- Refetch models, then pick outlaw-1 for your chat.
Does it work with the Wild West API?
Yes. Big-AGI's default is to call providers from its server, so CORS does not apply. The setup works on the hosted site and on a self-hosted copy.
The OpenAI service has a Direct Connection switch. Its help text says it makes requests "directly to OpenAI's... API using your browser instead of through the server." With it on, the request comes from your browser tab and is blocked, because the API does not answer CORS preflight today. Leave it off.
About the endpoint field
Big-AGI's API Endpoint is described as "An OpenAI compatible endpoint to be used in place of 'api.openai.com'." It adds standard paths like /v1/chat/completions, and its source notes that when the host already contains a path, the extra /v1 is not doubled. Either of these works:
https://wildwestapi.com https://wildwestapi.com/v1
The settings that matter for long roleplay
- Each model in Big-AGI has its own options, including the output token limit; see max tokens. Raise it for long scenes.
- Big-AGI may not know the context size of a model it has not seen. If it shows a small context, edit the model and set it; these models accept 512K to 1M tokens. See context window.
- Use a persona with your character's system prompt; see system prompt.
- Temperature around 0.8 to 1.0 suits creative writing; see temperature.
Troubleshooting Big-AGI
- 401: the key is missing, mistyped or disabled. Paste it again with no trailing space and check it starts with
sk-ww-. A key from another provider will never work here. - 402: your balance is too low for the request. Top up in the dashboard; see pricing. A huge context on every turn burns credit faster than you might expect.
- 404 or 400 with an unknown model: the model id is wrong. Use an exact id from the model list, such as
outlaw-1, with no provider prefix and no spaces. - 429: you are rate limited. Wait a few seconds and send again, and turn off any auto-retry loop that fires instantly.
- 5xx: trouble upstream. Retry; if it keeps happening, switch to another model id for a while.
- Network error, "Failed to fetch" or a CORS message: Direct Connection is on. Switch it off so Big-AGI's server makes the call.
FAQ
Is my key sent to the Big-AGI server on the hosted site?
Yes. In the default server mode, the Big-AGI server relays the request with your key. Self-host Big-AGI if you want that server to be yours.
Why does Big-AGI show OpenAI models I cannot use?
It lists whatever /v1/models returns. Use the ids from the Wild West models page; anything else returns a 404.
Can I have several Wild West services with different keys?
Yes. Add the OpenAI service more than once and give each a different Custom Name.