# Model providers


To run Docker Agent, you need a model provider. You can either use a cloud provider
with an API key or run models locally with [Docker Model
Runner](/ai/docker-agent/model-providers/local-models/).

This guide covers cloud providers. For the local alternative, see [Local
models with Docker Model Runner](/ai/docker-agent/model-providers/local-models/).

## Supported providers

Docker Agent supports these cloud model providers:

- Anthropic - Claude models
- OpenAI - GPT models
- Google - Gemini models

## Anthropic

Anthropic provides the Claude family of models, including Claude Sonnet and
Claude Opus.

To get an API key:

1. Go to [console.anthropic.com](https://console.anthropic.com/).
2. Sign up or sign in to your account.
3. Navigate to the API Keys section.
4. Create a new API key.
5. Copy the key.

Set your API key as an environment variable:

```console
$ export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your_key_here
```

Use Anthropic models in your agent configuration:

```yaml
agents:
  root:
    model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5
    instruction: You are a helpful coding assistant
```

Available models include:

- `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5`
- `anthropic/claude-opus-4-5`
- `anthropic/claude-haiku-4-5`

## OpenAI

OpenAI provides the GPT family of models, including GPT-5 and GPT-5 mini.

To get an API key:

1. Go to [platform.openai.com/api-keys](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys).
2. Sign up or sign in to your account.
3. Navigate to the API Keys section.
4. Create a new API key.
5. Copy the key.

Set your API key as an environment variable:

```console
$ export OPENAI_API_KEY=your_key_here
```

Use OpenAI models in your agent configuration:

```yaml
agents:
  root:
    model: openai/gpt-5
    instruction: You are a helpful coding assistant
```

Available models include:

- `openai/gpt-5`
- `openai/gpt-5-mini`

## Google Gemini

Google provides the Gemini family of models.

To get an API key:

1. Go to [aistudio.google.com/apikey](https://aistudio.google.com/apikey).
2. Sign in with your Google account.
3. Create an API key.
4. Copy the key.

Set your API key as an environment variable:

```console
$ export GOOGLE_API_KEY=your_key_here
```

Use Gemini models in your agent configuration:

```yaml
agents:
  root:
    model: google/gemini-2.5-flash
    instruction: You are a helpful coding assistant
```

Available models include:

- `google/gemini-2.5-flash`
- `google/gemini-2.5-pro`

## OpenAI-compatible providers

You can use the `openai` provider type to connect to any model or provider that
implements the OpenAI API specification. This includes services like Azure
OpenAI, local inference servers, and other compatible endpoints.

Define a named model in the `models` section with the `openai` provider and a
`base_url`, then reference it from your agent:

```yaml
models:
  my-model:
    provider: openai
    model: your-model-name
    base_url: https://your-provider.example.com/v1

agents:
  root:
    model: my-model
    instruction: You are a helpful coding assistant
```

By default, Docker Agent uses the `OPENAI_API_KEY` environment variable for
authentication. If your provider uses a different variable, specify it with
`token_key`:

```yaml
models:
  my-model:
    provider: openai
    model: your-model-name
    base_url: https://your-provider.example.com/v1
    token_key: YOUR_PROVIDER_API_KEY

agents:
  root:
    model: my-model
    instruction: You are a helpful coding assistant
```

## What's next

- Follow the [tutorial](/ai/docker-agent/model-providers/tutorial/) to build your first agent
- Learn about [local models with Docker Model Runner](/ai/docker-agent/model-providers/local-models/) as an
  alternative to cloud providers
- Review the [configuration reference](/ai/docker-agent/model-providers/reference/config/) for advanced model
  settings