> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.askui.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure Different Models

> Step-by-step guide to configure and use different AI models with AskUI

This guide shows you how to configure and use different AI models with AskUI to optimize performance for your specific automation tasks.

For a deeper understanding of how these models work and their capabilities, see [AI Models](/03-explanation/01-foundations/ai-models).

## Overview

AskUI supports multiple AI model providers, each with different strengths:

* **AskUI Models**: Fast, production-ready models optimized for UI automation
* **Anthropic Models**: Advanced language models for complex reasoning tasks
* **Hugging Face Models**: Open-source models for experimentation
* **Self-Hosted Models**: Custom models you host yourself

## Quick Reference

| Platform     | Available Models                                                                                                            |
| :----------- | :-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| AskUI        | `askui`, `askui-combo`, `askui-pta`, `askui-ocr`, `askui-ai-element`                                                        |
| Anthropic    | `anthropic-claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022`                                                                                      |
| Hugging Face | `AskUI/PTA-1`, `OS-Copilot/OS-Atlas-Base-7B`, `showlab/ShowUI-2B`, `Qwen/Qwen2-VL-2B-Instruct`, `Qwen/Qwen2-VL-7B-Instruct` |
| Self-Hosted  | `UI-Tars`                                                                                                                   |

For detailed specifications of all available AI models, see the [AI Models Reference](/04-reference/ai-models).

## Step 1: Choose Your Model Provider

First, decide which model provider best fits your needs:

### When to Use AskUI Models

* **Production environments**: Fast, reliable, and enterprise-ready
* **Standard UI automation**: Optimized for clicking, typing, and data extraction
* **Cost-conscious projects**: Lower cost per operation

### When to Use Anthropic Models

* **Complex reasoning tasks**: Advanced decision-making capabilities
* **Natural language interactions**: Better understanding of complex instructions
* **Experimental projects**: Cutting-edge AI capabilities

### When to Use Hugging Face Models

* **Open-source requirements**: Community-driven development
* **Research and experimentation**: Access to latest research models
* **Budget constraints**: Free tier available (rate-limited)

## Step 2: Set Up Authentication

Configure authentication for your chosen model provider:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="AskUI Models">
    AskUI models require workspace credentials from your AskUI account.

    **Required Environment Variables:**

    * `ASKUI_WORKSPACE_ID`
    * `ASKUI_TOKEN`

    **Get Your Credentials:**

    1. Sign in to [AskUI Hub](https://hub.askui.com)
    2. Navigate to your workspace settings
    3. Copy your Workspace ID and generate an access token
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Anthropic Models">
    Anthropic models require an API key from Anthropic.

    **Required Environment Variables:**

    * `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`

    **Get Your API Key:**

    1. Sign up at [console.anthropic.com](https://console.anthropic.com)
    2. Navigate to API Keys
    3. Generate a new API key
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Hugging Face Models">
    Hugging Face models work without authentication but have rate limits.

    **No authentication required** - models are accessible via Hugging Face Spaces API.

    <Note>
      Rate limits apply to unauthenticated requests. For higher limits, consider using Hugging Face Pro.
    </Note>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Step 3: Configure Environment Variables

Set the required environment variables for your operating system:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Linux & macOS">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # For AskUI models
    export ASKUI_WORKSPACE_ID=<your-workspace-id>
    export ASKUI_TOKEN=<your-access-token>

    # For Anthropic models
    export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=<your-api-key>
    ```

    <Tip>
      Add these to your `~/.bashrc` or `~/.zshrc` file to persist across sessions.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows PowerShell">
    ```powershell theme={null}
    # For AskUI models
    $env:ASKUI_WORKSPACE_ID="<your-workspace-id>"
    $env:ASKUI_TOKEN="<your-access-token>"

    # For Anthropic models
    $env:ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="<your-api-key>"
    ```

    <Tip>
      Use `[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable()` to set permanent system variables.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows CMD">
    ```cmd theme={null}
    REM For AskUI models
    set ASKUI_WORKSPACE_ID=<your-workspace-id>
    set ASKUI_TOKEN=<your-access-token>

    REM For Anthropic models
    set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=<your-api-key>
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Step 4: Use Models in Your Code

Specify which model to use by adding the `model` parameter to your commands:

### Basic Model Usage

```python theme={null}
from askui import VisionAgent

with VisionAgent() as agent:
    # Use AskUI's default model (recommended for most cases)
    agent.click("login button")
    
    # Use a specific AskUI model
    agent.click("search field", model="askui-ocr")
    
    # Use Anthropic's model for complex reasoning
    agent.act("Fill out this form with realistic test data", model="anthropic-claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022")
```

### Model Selection Strategy

Choose models based on your task requirements:

```python theme={null}
# For simple element clicking - use fast AskUI models
agent.click("submit button", model="askui-pta")

# For text extraction - use OCR-optimized models
text = agent.get("user name field", model="askui-ocr")

# For complex multi-step tasks - use reasoning models
agent.act("Navigate to settings and enable dark mode", model="anthropic-claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022")

# For experimental features - try Hugging Face models
agent.click("menu icon", model="AskUI/PTA-1")
```

## Step 5: Verify Your Configuration

Test your model configuration with a simple script:

```python theme={null}
from askui import VisionAgent

def test_model_configuration():
    with VisionAgent() as agent:
        try:
            # Test AskUI model
            agent.click("desktop", model="askui")
            print("✓ AskUI models configured correctly")
            
            # Test Anthropic model (if configured)
            agent.act("Take a screenshot", model="anthropic-claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022")
            print("✓ Anthropic models configured correctly")
            
        except Exception as e:
            print(f"✗ Configuration error: {e}")

if __name__ == "__main__":
    test_model_configuration()
```

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Authentication errors">
    * Verify environment variables are set correctly
    * Check for extra spaces in API keys
    * Ensure API keys are valid and not expired
    * Restart your terminal/IDE after setting variables
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Model not found errors">
    * Check model name spelling (case-sensitive)
    * Verify the model is supported for your command
    * Some models may not support all AskUI commands
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Rate limiting issues">
    * Hugging Face models have rate limits
    * Consider upgrading to paid tiers for higher limits
    * Implement retry logic with exponential backoff
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next Steps

Now that you have models configured:

1. **Optimize Performance**: Learn about [model selection best practices](/03-explanation/02-best-practices/01-element-selection/01-element-selection)
2. **Advanced Usage**: Explore [agentic workflows](/03-explanation/02-best-practices/04-agentic-mode)
3. **Production Deployment**: Review [enterprise considerations](/02-how-to-guides/01-account-management/01-account-management)