Frequently Asked Questions

What is ChatLima?

ChatLima is a multi-model AI chat app with 300+ models from providers such as OpenRouter, Requesty, OpenAI, Anthropic, Groq, and X AI. It includes presets, projects, file and image uploads, web search, native URL fetching, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) tool integrations— all in one interface. Subscribers do not need separate provider accounts; ChatLima handles routing and billing through Polar.

What's the difference between monthly and yearly plans?

Both paid plans include the same full model catalog (credit cost shown per model), web search on supported OpenRouter models, and MCP server support. Choose monthly for flexibility or yearly for lower total cost over 12 months. See the upgrade page for current pricing.

You can only have one active subscription at a time. Switching plans replaces the previous subscription after checkout.

How do credits work?

Monthly subscribers use a credit balance tied to Polar usage. Each chat message consumes credits based on the model's pricing tier—not a flat “one message = one credit” for every model. The model picker shows the credit cost per message so you can choose accordingly.

The model picker shows each model's credit cost (e.g. 1c, 2c). Both monthly and yearly plans use the same catalog; cost depends on the model you choose, not your plan type. BYOK bypasses ChatLima credits for that provider.

How do I choose a model?

Once you have a subscription or BYOK set up, open the model picker in chat. Every model shows how many credits it uses per message (for example 1c or 5c). Pick the model that fits your task—everyday questions often work well at 1 credit; complex analysis or coding may use more.

Browse the full catalog on the models page or filter by "Low cost" or "Higher cost" to compare options.

If you run low on credits, switch to a lower-cost model, add a provider API key in Settings, or review your plan on the upgrade page.

How does web search work?

For supported OpenRouter models, turn on the globe toggle in the composer to enable web search. ChatLima uses OpenRouter's agentic web search tools so the model can search and cite sources during the reply. You must be signed in; the model must support web search.

Web search costs 5 credits per search invocation (billed from actual tool usage during the response). If you use your own OpenRouter API key, web search is billed to your OpenRouter account instead of ChatLima credits.

What are MCP tools?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets the AI call external tools you configure—databases, APIs, automation platforms, custom scripts, and more. ChatLima supports SSE, stdio, and HTTP streamable transports, plus OAuth 2.1 for servers that require sign-in.

Common use cases:

Add and test servers under Settings → MCP Servers in the sidebar. MCP is available to subscribers and to users who connect their own API keys (BYOK).

Can I try ChatLima without subscribing?

To chat on ChatLima you need either an active subscription (monthly or yearly) or your own provider API keys (BYOK). Sign in with Google, choose a plan on the upgrade page, or add keys under Settings → API Keys.

With BYOK, usage is billed by your provider and ChatLima credit limits do not apply for that provider's models. See the BYOK section below for setup steps.

Do I need an OpenRouter account?

No, not for a paid ChatLima subscription. We route requests and manage usage through our provider integrations. You only need your own OpenRouter (or other provider) account if you choose BYOK for direct billing and full model access from that provider.

ChatLima adds presets, projects, MCP, file uploads, web search, provider health checks, and a unified chat experience you would not get from using a provider dashboard alone.

How do I use my own API keys (BYOK)?

Bring Your Own Key lets you connect your own provider accounts. Supported providers in Settings: OpenAI, Anthropic, Groq, X AI, OpenRouter, and Requesty.

How to configure BYOK:

1. Create an API key with your provider (e.g. OpenRouter Keys, OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.).
2. In ChatLima, open Settings from the sidebar and go to the API Keys tab.
3. Paste the key for each provider you want to use and save.
4. The model list refreshes to reflect models available through your keys. Select a model from that provider to route requests with your key.

Can I switch plans?

Yes. You can move between monthly and yearly at any time:

• Only one subscription is active at a time—the new plan replaces the old one after checkout
• Changes take effect once Polar confirms your new subscription

Visit the upgrade page to choose a plan or manage billing.

What happens if I cancel?

You can cancel anytime with no penalty. Access continues until the end of the current billing period. After that:

• You will not be charged for the next cycle
• Chat history and account data are preserved
• You can resubscribe or use BYOK later

Cancel from the subscription portal linked on the upgrade page, or contact support below.

How do I manage my subscription?

From the upgrade page, use Manage Subscription (or "Manage your subscription" at the bottom) to open the Polar customer portal. There you can view your plan, update payment methods, see billing history, and cancel or change your subscription.

Still have questions?