Choose a model provider

Navi uses the Mastra Model Router to turn a provider/model ID into the corresponding adapter from AI SDK providers. Set the provider’s API key and choose the model with NAVI_MODEL. Navi does not maintain a runtime allowlist. Any model the installed Mastra router supports can be selected when its provider key is available. The model also needs the capabilities used by the command: text generation for a repository answer, and tool calling or structured output for some flows.

Use a direct provider

The table below mirrors Navi’s current tested targets in config/tested-models.json. Quick targets cover repository questions. Workflow targets cover flows that use tools or structured results.

Lab	API key	Quick target	Workflow target
DeepSeek	`DEEPSEEK_API_KEY`	`deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash`	`deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro`
OpenAI	`OPENAI_API_KEY`	`openai/gpt-5.6-luna`	`openai/gpt-5.6-terra`
Anthropic	`ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`	`anthropic/claude-sonnet-5`	`anthropic/claude-sonnet-5`
Google	`GOOGLE_GENERATIVE_AI_API_KEY`	`google/gemini-3.5-flash-lite`	`google/gemini-3.5-flash-lite`
xAI	`XAI_API_KEY`	`xai/grok-4.5`	`xai/grok-4.5`

Start with the default DeepSeek quick target:

export DEEPSEEK_API_KEY="<your-key>"
export NAVI_MODEL="deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash"
npx --no-install navi-cli "Where is retry behavior configured?"

To use another direct provider, set the API key and quick target from the same row. Use the workflow target when you want the tested selection for a flow:

export NAVI_MODEL="deepseek/deepseek-v4-pro"
npx --no-install navi-cli run founder "Should this change ship?"

You can put these variables in the project .env file instead of exporting them. A variable already set in the shell takes precedence.

Use OpenRouter only when you want a proxy

OpenRouter is a separate route with its own key, billing account, and model ID. Choose it only when you intend to proxy the request instead of calling a model vendor’s direct gateway.

Route	API key	Quick target	Workflow target
OpenRouter	`OPENROUTER_API_KEY`	`openrouter/openai/gpt-5.6-luna`	`openrouter/openai/gpt-5.6-terra`

export OPENROUTER_API_KEY="<your-key>"
export NAVI_MODEL="openrouter/openai/gpt-5.6-luna"
npx --no-install navi-cli "Where is retry behavior configured?"

Keep the openrouter/ prefix on this route. It is not interchangeable with the direct OpenAI ID. The model manifest is the machine-readable source for Navi’s compatibility test targets; it does not restrict what the router can run. Use Troubleshooting when a key or model selection is rejected.

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Choose a model provider

Use a direct provider

Use OpenRouter only when you want a proxy

​Use a direct provider

​Use OpenRouter only when you want a proxy

Use a direct provider

Use OpenRouter only when you want a proxy