Don't just settle for the subscription based models!

Liam Hampton shows how to bring your own API key to Visual Studio Code so you can use custom AI models in GitHub Copilot Chat, including connecting third-party providers like OpenRouter and adding custom model endpoints with the Microsoft Foundry Toolkit.

Overview

The video walks through configuring VS Code to use non-default AI model providers by supplying your own API key (BYOK).

Bring your own key (BYOK) for VS Code and GitHub Copilot

• The presenter introduces the idea of using your own API key to access additional model options in VS Code and GitHub Copilot Chat.

Demo: adding a third-party provider

• Connect an external provider (example: OpenRouter).
• Configure a custom model endpoint so the model becomes available for use in GitHub Copilot Chat.

Microsoft Foundry Toolkit

• The presenter introduces Microsoft Foundry Toolkit as a way to expand the set of models available.

Demo and recap

• A short demo shows the configuration in action.
• The presenter recaps the steps for adding providers and custom endpoints.