OSS setup

Connect Bifrost CLI to an open-source Bifrost gateway, store a virtual key for inference, and sign in for management commands.

Use this path for an open-source Bifrost gateway. You need the gateway URL and, if inference authentication is enforced, a virtual key. If you have not installed the CLI yet, see Install the CLI.

1. Add a context for your gateway

   bifrost context add local --base-url http://localhost:8080 --use
   

   Non-loopback URLs must use HTTPS. Plain HTTP is accepted only for localhost, 127.0.0.1, and ::1.

2. Store a virtual key for inference

   Create a virtual key in the dashboard under Governance → Virtual Keys and allow the providers and models you need. Then:

   printf '%s\n' "$BIFROST_VIRTUAL_KEY" | bifrost auth set-virtual-key --stdin
   

   Omit --stdin to type the key at a hidden prompt. If the gateway does not enforce inference authentication, this step is optional.

3. Authenticate for management commands

   If dashboard authentication is enabled, sign in with the dashboard admin account:

   printf '%s\n' "$BIFROST_ADMIN_PASSWORD" |
     bifrost auth login --username admin --password-stdin
   

   If dashboard authentication is disabled, management commands need no credential.

4. Verify

   bifrost doctor
   bifrost models list
   bifrost providers list
   

   bifrost doctor checks gateway health, management authentication, and model discovery with the current inference credential, and reports ok or failed for each.

Next steps

Coding agents

Launch Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, or Gemini through Bifrost.

Contexts and credentials

Work across environments and configure CI.

Commands

Inspect, query, and administer the gateway.

Virtual Keys

Configure inference access, budgets, and rate limits.