Use an uncensored model in Zed

Zed supports OpenAI-compatible model providers in its settings, so you can add Obscurify.ai and use an uncensored model in Zed’s assistant and agent. You get 200+ models through one key and an account number instead of an email.

Config verified against Zed’s language_models settings on 2026-11-08 (not run here). Obscurify.ai’s OpenAI-compatible API itself is tested in our OpenCode and Cline tutorials.

Before you start

  • Zed, current release.
  • An Obscurify.ai API key. Create an account — a random 16-digit number, no email. Add credit on the account page, then click Show API Key. The key starts with sk-obs1_ and can be fetched again from your account number. New accounts may get $1 of starter credit while this month’s promo budget lasts.

Add the provider

Open Zed’s settings.json and add an openai_compatible provider under language_models:

{
  "language_models": {
    "openai_compatible": {
      "Obscurify": {
        "api_url": "https://obscurify.ai/v1",
        "available_models": [
          {
            "name": "pqhaz/deepseek-v4.1-flash-1017-heretic",
            "display_name": "DeepSeek Heretic (Obscurify)",
            "max_tokens": 128000,
            "capabilities": { "tools": true }
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Then open the assistant panel, pick the Obscurify provider, and paste your sk-obs1_... key when Zed asks for it (keys are entered in the UI, not the file).

Pick a model

Any id from /v1/models in available_models, keeping its prefix:

  • Uncensored, needs Pro: z-ai/glm-5.3-flash-uncensored or deepseek/deepseek-v4.1-flash-uncensored.
  • Decensored, any funded account: pqhaz/deepseek-v4.1-flash-1017-heretic.

Choose a model with "tools": true if you want Zed’s agent to edit files; some Zed versions have had trouble with file edits on custom OpenAI providers, so test a small edit first.

If something fails

  • 402: no balance — add credit on the account page.
  • 403 model_not_on_plan: uncensored models need Pro; decensored models work on any funded account.
  • 404 model_not_found: check the id against /v1/models and keep its prefix.
  • Agent won’t edit files: pick a tool-capable model and keep "tools": true.

What stays private

Prompts and responses aren’t stored on Obscurify.ai’s servers; models with the ZDR tag run only on zero-data-retention routes. Providers see the prompt text but not who sent it. See the privacy policy.

More agents: Obscurify.ai for agents.