A Managed AI Agent needs an LLM (Large Language Model) to think and respond to requests.
An LLM is the underlying AI model that reads your instructions, understands them, and generates a response, similar to the technology behind tools like ChatGPT.
To connect an LLM to your agent, you need an API key from an LLM provider. An API key is a unique code, similar to a password, that lets your Managed AI Agent securely use that provider's AI model on your behalf.
This guide explains how to choose an LLM provider, add its API key to your Managed AI Agent, and update or confirm the connection.
Before You Start
Before connecting an LLM provider, make sure you have:
An active paid Cloudways account with access to Managed AI Agents.
A Managed AI Agent already deployed on the Cloudways Platform.
An account with one of the supported LLM providers, along with an API key from that provider.
Note:
If you do not have an API key yet, you can generate one directly from your chosen provider's website. The Get API Key option inside the Cloudways Platform will take you to the right page for this.
Important:
Treat your API key like a password. Do not share it publicly or paste it into public documents, tickets, or screenshots.
What Is an LLM Provider?
An LLM provider is a company that offers access to an AI model through the internet, using an API key.
Cloudways Managed AI Agents currently support the following LLM providers:
Anthropic
DigitalOcean
Gemini
OpenAI
OpenRouter
Each provider offers different AI models, pricing, and usage limits. You can choose the provider that best fits your needs, and switch to a different one at any time.
Note: Your Managed AI Agent will not be able to process requests until an LLM provider is connected with a valid API key.
How to Connect an LLM Provider to Your Managed AI Agent
Step #1 — Go to AI Agents
Log in to your Cloudways Platform.
From the left-side navigation menu, click AI Agents.
This opens the Managed AI Agents area, where you can view all your existing agents.
Step #2 — Open Your Agent
On the Managed AI Agents page, find the agent you want to connect an LLM provider to.
Click Setup next to that agent.
Step #3 — Go to LLM Provider
On the agent details page, click the LLM & Channels tab.
Stay on the LLM Provider section. This is where you choose an LLM provider and add your API key. This is the model your agent uses to think and respond.
You will see the available providers: Anthropic, DigitalOcean, Gemini, OpenAI, and OpenRouter.
Click on the provider you want to use.
Tip:
If you do not have an API key for your chosen provider yet, click Get API Key next to the API key field. This will take you directly to the provider's website, where you can generate one.
Step #4 — Add Your API Key
In the API key field, enter the API key you generated from your chosen provider.
Click the eye icon next to the field if you want to review the key before submitting it.
Click Confirm to save the key.
If you want to cancel without saving, click Cancel instead.
Step #5 — Confirm the Connection
Once the key is saved, it will appear masked (hidden) in the API key field, confirming that it has been added.
If the status does not update, click Sync at the top of the LLM Provider section. This refreshes the connection status.
How to Update Your LLM Provider or API Key
You can change your API key or switch to a different LLM provider at any time.
Go to the agent's LLM & Channels tab, under LLM Provider.
To use a different provider, click on the provider you want to switch to, and add its API key using the same steps above.
To replace the current key for the same provider, click Update Key next to the masked key, enter the new key, and click Confirm.
Important:
Switching to a different LLM provider or updating the API key may briefly affect your agent's ability to respond, until the new key is confirmed.
Troubleshooting
The Confirm button is not clickable
Make sure the API key field is not empty and that you have selected a provider. The Confirm button becomes active only after a key is entered.
My agent is not responding after adding the API key
Double-check that the API key was copied correctly, with no extra spaces before or after it. Also confirm that your API key is active and has not expired or run out of usage credits on the provider's website.
I entered the wrong API key
Click Update Key next to the API key field, enter the correct key, and click Confirm.
The API key field shows an error
This usually means the key was not accepted by the provider. Verify the key on the provider's website, generate a new one if needed, and try again.
I want to use a different LLM provider
Click on the new provider under the LLM Provider section, then add its API key using the same steps above. You do not need to remove the previous provider first.
That's it! We hope this article was useful.