Guide · Open source
How to use OmniRoute: one endpoint for your AI coding tools
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
OmniRoute is an open-source AI gateway written in TypeScript and released under the MIT licence. You run it yourself, point your AI coding tools at one endpoint, and it forwards requests to many model providers such as Claude, GPT, Gemini and DeepSeek. This guide explains what you need before installing, how to connect your own provider accounts, and how the fallback and compression features are meant to be used.
OmniRoutecheaper-inference/OmniRoute · ★ 83.8k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Check prerequisites. Make sure you have Node.js with npm or pnpm, or Docker, installed. Confirm the Node.js version against the full README.
- 2Clone the repository. Run git clone on the OmniRoute GitHub repository and open the new folder.
- 3Install using your chosen method. Follow the install section of the README for Docker or source installation with pnpm.
- 4Connect your providers. Sign up with the providers you want, obtain credentials where required, and add them to OmniRoute.
- 5Point your coding tools at the endpoint. Configure each tool to send requests to OmniRoute, using the configuration details in the full documentation.
What you need before you install OmniRoute
OmniRoute is installed from its source repository. The README lists Node.js, npm or pnpm, or Docker as prerequisites. The excerpt the guide is based on does not state which Node.js version is required, so check the project's full README before you start.
You will also need credentials for any provider you want to use. OmniRoute does not supply model access itself. The README says free tiers belong to third-party providers, and each provider controls its own limits, availability and terms.
- Node.js (the required version is not stated in the README excerpt)
- npm or pnpm, or Docker
- Accounts and API credentials for the providers you plan to connect
Clone the OmniRoute repository
The README's install step starts by cloning the repository from GitHub. Run the command in the folder where you want the project to live, then open the new folder.
The README also has a section on other install methods, including Docker and running from source with pnpm. Follow the steps in that section for the method you chose.
git clone https://github.com/cheaper-inference/OmniRouteConnect your provider accounts
OmniRoute is built around bringing your own provider accounts. Sign up with each provider you can use, obtain credentials where the provider requires them, and add them to OmniRoute. The README stresses that the project does not grant tokens.
The README describes a dashboard page at /dashboard/free-tiers that shows the free-tier catalog and live usage. Use it to see which providers you have connected and how much of their free allowance remains.
- Create an account with each provider and obtain its credentials where required
- Add only the providers whose terms you have read and accept
- Check the free-tier dashboard to track your remaining allowance
Point your AI coding tools at OmniRoute
The README says OmniRoute works with tools such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, OpenCode, Cline and Copilot. The idea is that each tool sends its requests to one OpenAI-style endpoint, and OmniRoute decides which model provider answers.
The source excerpt does not give the endpoint address or the exact configuration for each tool. Take those details from the project's full documentation rather than guessing.
- Claude Code
- Codex
- Cursor
- OpenCode
- Cline
- Copilot
Use fallback, combos and compression
The README describes quota-aware auto-fallback: when one provider runs out of quota or hits a rate limit, requests can move to another provider. Combos are listed as a flagship feature for grouping models and providers together.
The README also says RTK and Caveman compression can reduce token use by 15 to 95 percent, with an average figure given in the README. Treat these numbers as the project's claims. Your savings will depend on your own prompts and tools.
- Auto-fallback moves requests to another provider when a quota runs out
- Combos are the README's flagship feature for configuring routing
- RTK and Caveman compression are described as reducing token use
Know the limits before you rely on it
OmniRoute is not a hosted service with support guarantees. The README points mainly to community channels such as Discord and Telegram for questions. You also manage your own credentials and configuration.
If you need a managed service, a guaranteed free allowance, or formal support, pick a different tool.
- Self-hosted: you run it and manage provider credentials
- Support comes mainly from community channels
- Free tiers depend on third-party providers and can change
What people use it for
- Using Claude Code, Codex or Cursor with one place to manage several providers
- Spreading requests across your own free-tier provider accounts
- Falling back to another provider when one hits a rate limit
- Testing several models through a single OpenAI-style endpoint
Frequently asked questions
Is OmniRoute free?
OmniRoute is released under the MIT licence, so the software itself is free to use. The README says free tiers belong to third-party providers, and their terms and limits can change.
What do I need to run OmniRoute?
The README lists Node.js, npm or pnpm, or Docker as prerequisites. The excerpt does not state a required Node.js version, so check the full README.
Does OmniRoute give me free tokens?
No. The README says OmniRoute is not a token grant. You bring your own provider accounts and each provider sets its own free-tier limits.
Which coding tools work with OmniRoute?
The README names Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, OpenCode, Cline and Copilot. Setup details for each tool are in the full documentation.
How does OmniRoute compare to LiteLLM or OpenRouter?
The README lists LiteLLM, OpenRouter and One API as comparable projects. OpenRouter is not open source, while OmniRoute is self-hosted under the MIT licence.
Where do I get help if something breaks?
The README points mainly to community channels, including Discord and Telegram. There is no formal support guarantee in the README.
New agent skills, repos and AI tools — every week
The best new skills and open-source projects, the fastest-growing repos, and one free prompt. Five minutes to read. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our verdict
OmniRoute suits developers who use several AI coding tools and want to manage their own provider accounts in one place, with automatic fallback when a quota runs out. It is a poor fit if you want guaranteed free usage, a hosted service with support, or you do not want to manage credentials and configuration. In those cases, a managed gateway or a different tool such as LiteLLM may suit you better.
Install options & downloads