# Bring-your-own-LLM (BYO-LLM)

**Source:** https://promtable.com/glossary/bring-your-own-llm

> Bring-your-own-LLM (BYO-LLM) is the developer pattern where a tool or product lets users configure their own model and API key — instead of locking them into the product's bundled LLM.

---
Bring-your-own-LLM (BYO-LLM) is the developer pattern where a tool or product lets users configure their own model and API key — instead of locking them into the product's bundled LLM.

BYO-LLM became a major differentiator in 2026 because users wanted control over which model their tool used and over per-token costs. Examples: Continue.dev (IDE plugin), Cline (VS Code agent), OpenRouter as the integration layer, ChatBox UI, many SillyTavern-style chat apps. Users supply their OpenAI / Anthropic / OpenRouter / local Ollama / custom endpoint. The trade-off vs bundled LLM: more setup, more user-side responsibility for cost + quality, but no vendor lock-in. Many tools split the difference by bundling a default and supporting BYO for power users.

## When to use

- Tools where power users want model choice.
- OSS / privacy-focused stacks where users may use local LLMs.

## Common mistakes

- Hard-coding OpenAI-only assumptions — breaks BYO promises.
- No telemetry consent — BYO users often want zero analytics.

## Related terms

- [openrouter](https://promtable.com/glossary/openrouter)
- [local-llm](https://promtable.com/glossary/local-llm)
- [model-router](https://promtable.com/glossary/model-router)

*Last updated: 2026-06-01*
---

Original page: https://promtable.com/glossary/bring-your-own-llm
Maintained by Promtable (https://promtable.com). Content: CC BY 4.0. Cite as "Promtable — https://promtable.com/glossary/bring-your-own-llm".
Contact: info@vibecodingturkey.com.