Direct answer

This page explains how India-based teams use NextModel's OpenAI-compatible gateway. Connect an existing OpenAI SDK to NextModel in minutes, then compare providers and keep Indian AI API spend visible before production rollout. It adds the practical steps, configuration notes, and common questions.

Three edits to migrate

Switch any OpenAI SDK to NextModel with three edits: (1) set NEXTMODEL_API_KEY to a NextModel key, (2) point base_url at the NextModel API base, (3) use a catalog model ID. Everything else in your chat-completions code stays as-is. Using a coding agent? See the Agent Setup guides at /agents.

curl
curl https://api.nextmodel.app/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $NEXTMODEL_API_KEY" \
  -d '{"model":"qwen/qwen3.7-max","messages":[{"role":"user","content":"Reply with OK."}]}'
Python
# pip install openai
import os
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    api_key=os.environ["NEXTMODEL_API_KEY"],
    base_url="https://api.nextmodel.app/v1",
)

resp = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="qwen/qwen3.7-max",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content":"Reply with OK."}],
)
print(resp.choices[0].message.content)
Node.js
// npm install openai
import OpenAI from "openai";

const client = new OpenAI({
  apiKey: process.env.NEXTMODEL_API_KEY,
  baseURL: "https://api.nextmodel.app/v1",
});

const resp = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: "qwen/qwen3.7-max",
  messages: [{ role: "user", "content":"Reply with OK." }],
});
console.log(resp.choices[0].message.content);
base_urlhttps://api.nextmodel.app/v1
endpoint/v1/chat/completions
authAuthorization: Bearer $NEXTMODEL_API_KEY
modelUse a NextModel catalog ID such as qwen/qwen3.7-max

First call doubles as the key test

Run the snippet; a 200 response means the key works. GET /v1/models is the cheapest authenticated check, and the dashboard shows the same one-click test right after you create a key.

Verify
curl -s https://api.nextmodel.app/v1/models -H "Authorization: Bearer $NEXTMODEL_API_KEY" | head -c 300

Switching models

Changing models means changing only the model field. Browse the catalog for IDs, prices, context windows and live routing status before you commit.