Connect a provider
Configure the coding-agent CLIs and models that Dream can use.
Dream works with coding-agent command-line tools already installed on your computer.
Supported providers#
| Provider | Required CLI |
|---|---|
| OpenAI | Codex CLI |
| Anthropic | Claude Code CLI |
| OpenCode | OpenCode CLI |
| Cursor | Cursor Agent CLI |
| Grok Build | Grok Build CLI |
Install the CLI from its provider, then complete that CLI's normal sign-in or authentication flow outside Dream.
Enable models#
- Open Settings in Dream.
- Select Providers.
- Refresh the provider after installing or authenticating its CLI.
- Turn on the provider's enable switch, then enable one or more of its detected models.
- Open General → Models and choose defaults for new chats and for commit and pull-request drafting.
You must enable at least one model before opening your first project. A chat can use a different enabled model from the default after it starts.
Use more than one provider#
Enable models from each provider you want to use. The chat composer lists enabled models, so you can choose a different provider for another conversation or change the model in an existing chat.
For example, keep your implementation chat on one provider and create a review chat using another. You do not need to change your global default each time. Follow Models and defaults to configure new-chat defaults, reasoning effort, speed, and the separate Git drafting model.
Understand provider differences#
The installed CLI handles authentication and executes agent work. Model lists, supported effort and speed options, attachment handling, usage information, and permission behavior can differ between providers.
Dream exposes Ask, Accept edits, and Full access permissions per chat. Read Agent permissions before choosing them. Claude chats with a resumable session also offer Continue in terminal.
Skills are available for Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, and Cursor. MCP servers and Dream's built-in browser tools are available for Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, and Grok Build; Cursor does not support these Dream-managed tool connections.
Check for CLI updates#
Provider cards show the installed CLI version when available. Dream also checks for newer versions and shows an Update available: … badge when one is found. The badge reports availability; it does not install the update. Update using that CLI's normal installation method, then refresh its provider card in Dream.
Use the provider's enable switch to hide its models from the available selections without uninstalling the CLI. Recheck your defaults after changing enabled providers or models.
Troubleshooting detection#
If a provider says CLI not detected:
- Open your system terminal and verify that the CLI command starts successfully.
- Finish any sign-in or first-run setup requested by the CLI.
- Return to Settings → Providers and refresh it.
- For OpenCode, run its authentication flow or configure
opencode.jsonif no models appear.
If the CLI was installed while Dream was open, restart Dream if refresh still cannot detect it. The command must be available to Dream's environment; a shell alias alone is not an installed CLI.
If a CLI is detected but your desired model is missing, check the provider's account/configuration and refresh the list. If models are listed but unavailable in chats, enable them with their toggles and confirm the provider itself is enabled. See Troubleshooting for additional checks.