> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.layerlens.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.layerlens.ai/5.-select-pick-the-model/byok-models.md).

# BYOK models

Bring-your-own-key (BYOK) models in Stratix — register OpenAI-compatible endpoints as first-class models.

Stratix supports **OpenAI-compatible endpoints** as custom models. Register your endpoint, store the API key encrypted in the BYOK vault, and Stratix treats it as first-class — usable in evaluations, comparisons, scorers, judges, and trace evaluations.

## Why BYOK

* You're running a self-hosted model (vLLM, Together, Fireworks, Nebius, SambaNova, custom)
* You want token consumption to bill against your own provider account
* You want the same dashboard for public and private models

## What "OpenAI-compatible" means

The endpoint exposes the OpenAI Chat Completions and (where supported) Embeddings APIs at a base URL. Stratix's evaluation engine sends requests in OpenAI shape and parses responses likewise.

## Two billing surfaces

When evaluating with a BYOK custom model:

* **Your provider** bills the **token consumption** (what your endpoint actually does)
* **Stratix ECU** bills the **platform work** (judge calls, trace evaluation engine, etc.)

## Setup

In Premium **Models → Register custom model**:

1. Endpoint URL
2. API key (encrypted in the BYOK vault)
3. Model identifier
4. Capability tags

Stratix probes the endpoint and confirms it responds.

## Security

* Keys encrypted at rest, never returned via API (only masked prefix shown)
* Org-scoped — only members with `models:write` can register or rotate
* Rotation supported

## Tested providers

* vLLM (self-hosted)
* Together AI
* Fireworks AI
* Nebius
* SambaNova Cloud
* MLflow gateways
* Custom endpoints behind a reverse proxy

## Where to next

* [BYOK custom models (Premium)](/5.-select-pick-the-model/byok-custom-models.md)
* [Models](/5.-select-pick-the-model/models.md)
* [Integrations](https://github.com/LayerLens/gitbook-full/blob/main/05-select/catalog/README.md)