What Is a Relay?
A relay sits between your tool and the target AI service provider. It receives requests from your client, forwards them through the configured service path, and returns the model response in a format your tool understands.
Already Familiar?
If you already know how OpenAI-compatible relay services work, you can skip to Create an API Key.
Why a Relay Helps
| Advantage | Details |
|---|---|
| Dedicated operations | 24/7 status monitoring, timely issue handling, and ongoing service quality optimization. |
| Lower access cost | Scaled operations and cost optimization can make AI coding tools easier to adopt. |
| One account, many tools | Use the same account across Claude Code, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and more supported tools. |
| Familiar integration | Keep using OpenAI-compatible clients by changing only the endpoint, key, and model name. |
How It Works
text
Your tool or client
|
v
Potato API relay
|
v
AI service providerPotato API acts as the middle layer:
- Receives your request from an OpenAI-compatible client.
- Authenticates the request with your API key.
- Forwards the request to the target AI service provider.
- Returns the model response to your client.
Transparent Experience
For day-to-day use, the relay should feel close to using an official endpoint: your tool sends a request, receives a response, and continues the workflow without extra manual steps.
What Changes
| Item | Official Endpoint | Potato API Relay |
|---|---|---|
| Base URL | Official provider URL | https://www.potatoai.cc/v1 |
| API key | Provider key | Potato API key |
| Model access | Provider account permissions | Potato API account and token permissions |
| Billing | Provider billing | Potato API balance and quota |
Security Practices
Security Principles
- We do not store your code content.
- API keys are used only for authentication.
- Data transmission is encrypted.
- We follow data privacy protection requirements.
Who It Is For
Potato API is designed for developers who want a simpler way to use AI coding tools:
- Individual developers testing and building with AI tools.
- Startup teams that need predictable access and support.
- Enterprise users who need centralized account and quota management.
Next Steps
After understanding the relay concept, continue with: