> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://bifrost-dev.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 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](/quickstart/cli/getting-started#install-the-cli).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add a context for your gateway">
    ```bash theme={null}
    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`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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:

    ```bash theme={null}
    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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authenticate for management commands">
    If dashboard authentication is enabled, sign in with the dashboard admin account:

    ```bash theme={null}
    printf '%s\n' "$BIFROST_ADMIN_PASSWORD" |
      bifrost auth login --username admin --password-stdin
    ```

    If dashboard authentication is disabled, management commands need no credential.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify">
    ```bash theme={null}
    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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Coding agents" icon="terminal" href="/quickstart/cli/coding-agents">
    Launch Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, or Gemini through Bifrost.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contexts and credentials" icon="layer-group" href="/quickstart/cli/contexts">
    Work across environments and configure CI.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Commands" icon="list" href="/quickstart/cli/commands">
    Inspect, query, and administer the gateway.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Virtual Keys" icon="key" href="/features/governance/virtual-keys">
    Configure inference access, budgets, and rate limits.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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