Getting started
To use your own models instead of ajan's included AI models, BYOK needs to be activated.
ajan requires three types of models to cover all platform features. Add them in Workspace Settings -> Models. For setup instructions per model type, see Adding your own models.
Set up your models in ajan
Completion models
These are the models your users select in chat. Add the models you want to make available from the providers you have keys for.
We support models hosted by Microsoft Azure, AWS Bedrock, Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, Google AI Studio, OpenAI, Anthropic, Mistral, DeepSeek, Perplexity, Black Forest Labs, Replicate, the Vercel AI Gateway, and any OpenAI-compatible endpoint.
For quotas, between 200k and 500k TPM (tokens per minute) covers around 200 users. For your most-used model, you may need 500k–1M TPM.
Image generation models
Add at least one image generation model so users can generate images from chat. See the Image tab in the adding models guide for setup instructions.
Embedding model
Embedding models power document search and Knowledge bases. The platform requires a model with 1536 dimensions. Any OpenAI or Azure-compatible embedding model with 1536 dimensions will work. Set the model as the workspace default with the Embedding model selector on the Models settings page.
Deep Research models
Cloud BYOK workspaces need a Reasoning model and a Fast Reasoning model. They also need a Backbone model. Deep Research uses the dedicated Deep Research Backbone model when one is configured, and automatically falls back to the workspace Backbone model otherwise. Go to Settings > Products > Deep Research and configure the required models:
| Role | What it does | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Model | Plans the research, evaluates results, and generates the final report. | o3 |
| Fast Reasoning Model | Generates per-task summaries during the research loop. | o4 Mini |
| Backbone Model | Handles loop decisions and polishes the final report. | GPT-5 Mini |
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| API Type | Responses API |
| Reasoning Effort | Medium |
| Verbosity | Medium |
| Supports Temperature | Disabled |
| Supports Tools | Enabled |
| Setting | Recommended value |
|---|---|
| API Type | Responses API |
| Reasoning Effort | Minimal |
| Verbosity | Low |
| Supports Temperature | Disabled |
| Strict Mode | Disabled |
| Supports Tools | Enabled |
You can set a usage limit in the Deep Research settings (default: 15 queries per user per 30 days).
Checklist before continuing:
- Completion models from the providers you want to offer
- 1 or more image generation models
- 1x Embedding model (1536 dimensions)
- Reasoning and Fast Reasoning models configured with the correct settings above
- A Backbone model configured for the workspace or Deep Research
2. Reach out to the ajan team
Once your models are set up, contact the ajan team, and we will activate BYOK for your workspace on our side.
3. Test your models
Once BYOK is active, verify each model type works:
- Completion models: send a prompt to each model in the interface (e.g. "write a story about dogs").
- Image model: ask any model to generate an image.
- Embedding model: create a Knowledge base in the Library, upload a file, then @mention the Knowledge base in a chat and ask a question about the file. You should get an answer based on the file content.
- Deep Research: run a Deep Research query and check that the report is detailed and well-structured. If it's shallow, recheck the model configuration settings above.
Contact support@ajan.com if anything isn't working.