# SillyTavern setup

SillyTavern is a self-hosted chat front-end for character and story chat. Connect it to Claudech through its Chat Completion API.

## Before you start

- **A Claudech API key** from [API keys](https://claudech.com/api-keys). API access unlocks after your first purchase.

## Connect

Open **API Connections** (the plug icon) and set:

| Setting | Value |
| --- | --- |
| API | **Chat Completion** |
| Chat Completion Source | **Custom (OpenAI-compatible)** |
| Custom Endpoint (Base URL) | `https://api.claudech.com/v1` |
| Custom API Key | your `sk-...` key |
| Model | pick from the list, or enter `claude-opus-5-5` |

Click **Connect**. SillyTavern loads the model list from `GET /v1/models`.

## Things to know

- Long chats resend the whole history on every message. Claudech bills the repeated part at the cached-input rate automatically, which keeps long sessions cheaper.
- The [acceptable use rules](https://claudech.com/docs/terms#acceptable-use) in the Terms apply to every request, whatever the front-end.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| Connect fails | The endpoint must be exactly `https://api.claudech.com/v1` |
| `401` | Re-copy the key without spaces; check it is active under **API keys** |
| `402 insufficient_balance` | Top up under [Billing](https://claudech.com/billing) |

See [all integrations](https://claudech.com/docs/integrations) for other chat apps. Claudech is an independent service and is not affiliated with the makers of SillyTavern.

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Source: https://claudech.com/docs/integrations/sillytavern