---
title: "Zed Editor"
description: "Integrate Zed editor with Bifrost to use any AI provider for code assistance with virtual keys and observability."
icon: "z"
---

[Zed](https://zed.dev/) is a high-performance editor with built-in AI assistant support. It can connect to any OpenAI-compatible API, making Bifrost a natural fit for universal model access across providers, plus governance features like virtual keys and built-in observability.

![Zed editor integration](../media/zed-editor-integration.png)

<Note>
If your Allowed Headers are already set to `*`, you can skip this note. If not and you face issues integrating Bifrost with Zed, try switching to `*` or adding the specific headers required by your client. By default, Bifrost whitelists: `Content-Type`, `Authorization`, `X-Requested-With`, `X-Stainless-Timeout`, and `X-Api-Key`.
</Note>

## Setup

### 1. Configure Bifrost Provider

Add Bifrost to Zed's `language_models.openai_compatible` configuration. This is typically in your Zed settings (JSON) or workspace config.

```json
"language_models": {
  "openai_compatible": {
    "Bifrost": {
      "api_url": "http://localhost:8080/openai",
      "available_models": [
        {
          "name": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5",
          "max_tokens": 200000,
          "max_output_tokens": 4096,
          "capabilities": {
            "tools": true,
            "images": true,
            "parallel_tool_calls": true,
            "prompt_cache_key": false
          }
        },
        {
          "name": "openai/gpt-4o",
          "max_tokens": 128000,
          "max_output_tokens": 4096,
          "capabilities": {
            "tools": true,
            "images": true,
            "parallel_tool_calls": true,
            "prompt_cache_key": false
          }
        },
        {
          "name": "openai/gpt-5",
          "max_tokens": 256000,
          "max_output_tokens": 4096,
          "capabilities": {
            "tools": true,
            "images": true,
            "parallel_tool_calls": true,
            "prompt_cache_key": false
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

Replace `http://localhost:8080/openai` with your Bifrost gateway URL + `/openai`.

### 2. Model Capabilities

| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `tools` | Enable tool/function calling |
| `images` | Enable image input (vision) |
| `parallel_tool_calls` | Support multiple tool calls in one response |
| `prompt_cache_key` | Enable prompt caching (set `false` if not supported) |

Use Bifrost model IDs in `provider/model` format (e.g. `openai/gpt-5`, `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.5`). Ensure these models are configured in Bifrost.

### 3. Reload Workspace

After changing the configuration, reload the workspace so Zed recognizes and reloads the provider list.

## Virtual Keys

When Bifrost has [virtual key authentication](/features/governance/virtual-keys) enabled, add an `api_key` field to the Bifrost provider config (check Zed's documentation for the exact field name — it may vary by version):

```json
"Bifrost": {
  "api_url": "http://localhost:8080/openai",
  "api_key": "bf-your-virtual-key-here",
  "available_models": [...]
}
```

This lets you enforce usage limits, budgets, and access control per user or team. For team deployments, create a separate virtual key for each team or environment — each key can have its own rate limits, budgets, and provider access rules configured in the Bifrost dashboard.

## Model Selection

Zed lets you assign models to different AI features. Use Bifrost model IDs in `provider/model` format to access any configured provider:

- Use powerful models like `openai/gpt-5` or `anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929` for complex code generation and refactoring
- Use fast models like `groq/llama-3.3-70b-versatile` for quick completions and inline suggestions

## Using Multiple Providers

Bifrost routes requests to the correct provider based on the model name. Use the `provider/model-name` format to access any configured provider through the single OpenAI-compatible endpoint:

```
anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929
openai/gpt-5
gemini/gemini-2.5-pro
mistral/mistral-large-latest
```

### Supported Providers

Bifrost supports the following providers with the `provider/model-name` format:

`openai`, `azure`, `gemini`, `vertex`, `bedrock`, `mistral`, `groq`, `cerebras`, `cohere`, `perplexity`, `xai`, `ollama`, `openrouter`, `huggingface`, `nebius`, `parasail`, `replicate`, `vllm`, `sgl`

<Warning>
Non-native models **must support tool use** for Zed's AI features (code actions, refactoring) to work properly. Models without tool use support will only work for basic chat and completions.
</Warning>

<Note>
Zed connects to Bifrost via a single OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Bifrost handles routing to the correct provider based on the model name — no per-provider configuration needed.
</Note>

## Observability

All Zed requests through Bifrost are logged. Monitor them at `http://localhost:8080/logs` — filter by provider, model, or search through conversation content to track usage.

## Next Steps

- [Provider Configuration](/quickstart/gateway/provider-configuration) — Configure AI providers in Bifrost
- [Virtual Keys](/features/governance/virtual-keys) — Set up usage limits and access control