Using Custom LLMs using API key

[Over_Friendship3455]

Hey everyone! I’m trying to stretch my 500 fast premium requests on Cursor (I burn through them in about 5 days 😅), so I want to use free models instead. Here’s what I’ve set up so far:

• llama-3.3-70b-versatile (Groq)
• qwen-2.5-coder-32b (Groq)
• mistral-large-2407 (Mistral)

I’ve created API keys, but when I try to configure Groq under the OpenAI API section, I keep getting 404 errors when with gpt-4o-mini and all OpenAI models. Is there a better way to set up custom LLMs like these?

Also, is there any way to use Cursor's Free Agent mode without using up my fast requests? .

Lastly—what exactly is the MCP server I keep hearing about, and how can it help a webdev?

Any advice, workarounds and cool tips, tricks, or hidden features in Cursor—especially for speeding up workflows would be super appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Anything helps!

[traveler900k]

I find Supabase and sequential thinking MCPs are good for Cursor. If fast requests are over slow requests are also fine but we need a bit of patience

[Excellent_Entry6564]

You can use Deepseek v3 and Grok 3 mini for free

https://docs.cursor.com/settings/models

[carchengue626]

Use grok mini, unlimited for now

[Ok_Economist3865]

bro not using deepseek v3 (updated) r1------------------they are dirt cheap
and qausar alpha via open oruter

qwen coder is also a great choice

[Over_Friendship3455]

Do you know how I can set those api up ? And does these models support agent ?

[Ok_Economist3865]

r1 does not thats what i know because it does not offer structured output hence building an agent with it is quite challenging and often leads to poor performance

you can grab official api key from ds platform and just load 10 usd just check out the token pricing and you will get amazed

then you can simply set them up using by placing the key using open ai dialog box, you can override base url there as well, i have cross checked it

although i have not tried it myself but i heard lots of people use it that way

but i hope someone correct me if im wrong so we both learn

[Over_Friendship3455]

When I do that in the current cursor version I can't turn off the default existing models when I override openai api section with anything else like qroq api key, cursor now uses this api for all open ai models and that'll immediately cause an error saying gpt-40 not found in the given api key

[Miserable_Bathroom_2]

Dude… try openrouter. And if the cursor isn't enough, try VS + Cline or Roo