443 lines
9.1 KiB
Markdown
443 lines
9.1 KiB
Markdown
# Free Providers - Zero Cost Fallback
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Emergency backup when everything else is quota-limited. Code 24/7 with zero cost!
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---
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## Overview
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Free tier providers are your **fallback** when subscription and cheap quota exhausted:
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- 🆓 **iFlow** - 8 models FREE (Kimi K2, Qwen3, GLM 4.7, MiniMax M2...)
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- 🆓 **Qwen** - 3 models FREE (Qwen3 Coder Plus/Flash, Vision)
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- 🆓 **Kiro** - 2 models FREE (Claude Sonnet 4.5, Haiku 4.5)
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**Strategy:** Use as emergency backup. Unlimited usage, zero cost forever!
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---
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## iFlow (8 FREE Models)
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### Pricing
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| Plan | Monthly Cost | Models | Quota |
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|------|--------------|--------|-------|
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| FREE | $0 | 8 models | Unlimited |
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**Best Value:** Most models in free tier! Kimi K2, Qwen3, GLM, MiniMax, DeepSeek.
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### Setup
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**Step 1: Connect via Dashboard**
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```bash
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9router
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# Dashboard → Providers → Connect iFlow
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```
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**Step 2: iFlow OAuth Login**
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- Click "Connect iFlow"
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- Browser opens → iFlow login page
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- Create account or login
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- Grant permissions
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- Auto token refresh enabled
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**Step 3: Use in CLI**
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```
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Model: if/kimi-k2-thinking
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if/kimi-k2
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if/qwen3-coder-plus
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if/glm-4.7
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if/minimax-m2
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if/deepseek-r1
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if/deepseek-v3.2-chat
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if/deepseek-v3.2-reasoner
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```
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### Available Models
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| Model ID | Description | Best For |
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|----------|-------------|----------|
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| `if/kimi-k2-thinking` | Kimi K2 Thinking | Complex reasoning |
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| `if/kimi-k2` | Kimi K2 | General coding |
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| `if/qwen3-coder-plus` | Qwen3 Coder Plus | Code generation |
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| `if/glm-4.7` | GLM 4.7 | Chinese + English |
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| `if/minimax-m2` | MiniMax M2 | Long context |
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| `if/deepseek-r1` | DeepSeek R1 | Reasoning tasks |
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| `if/deepseek-v3.2-chat` | DeepSeek V3.2 Chat | Conversational |
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| `if/deepseek-v3.2-reasoner` | DeepSeek V3.2 Reasoner | Complex logic |
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### Pro Tips
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- **8 models FREE** - Most variety in free tier
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- **Unlimited usage** - No quota limits
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- **Kimi K2 Thinking** - Best for complex reasoning
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- **DeepSeek R1** - Strong reasoning capabilities
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---
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## Qwen (3 FREE Models)
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### Pricing
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| Plan | Monthly Cost | Models | Quota |
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|------|--------------|--------|-------|
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| FREE | $0 | 3 models | Unlimited |
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### Setup
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**Step 1: Connect via Dashboard**
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```bash
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9router
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# Dashboard → Providers → Connect Qwen
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```
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**Step 2: Device Code Authorization**
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- Click "Connect Qwen"
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- Dashboard shows device code
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- Visit authorization URL
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- Enter device code
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- Login to Qwen account
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- Auto token refresh enabled
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**Step 3: Use in CLI**
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```
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Model: qw/qwen3-coder-plus
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qw/qwen3-coder-flash
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qw/vision-model
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```
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### Available Models
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| Model ID | Description | Best For |
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|----------|-------------|----------|
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| `qw/qwen3-coder-plus` | Qwen3 Coder Plus | Advanced coding |
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| `qw/qwen3-coder-flash` | Qwen3 Coder Flash | Fast responses |
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| `qw/vision-model` | Qwen3 Vision | Image analysis |
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### Pro Tips
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- **Qwen3 Coder Plus** - Strong coding capabilities
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- **Qwen3 Coder Flash** - Fast for quick tasks
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- **Vision model** - FREE image analysis
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- **Unlimited usage** - No quota limits
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---
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## Kiro (Claude FREE)
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### Pricing
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| Plan | Monthly Cost | Models | Quota |
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|------|--------------|--------|-------|
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| FREE | $0 | Claude Sonnet 4.5, Haiku 4.5 | Unlimited |
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**Best Value:** FREE Claude! Same quality as paid Claude Code.
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### Setup
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**Step 1: Connect via Dashboard**
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```bash
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9router
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# Dashboard → Providers → Connect Kiro
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```
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**Step 2: AWS Builder ID or OAuth**
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- Click "Connect Kiro"
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- Choose login method:
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- AWS Builder ID (recommended)
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- Google account
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- GitHub account
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- Grant permissions
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- Auto token refresh enabled
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**Step 3: Use in CLI**
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```
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Model: kr/claude-sonnet-4.5
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kr/claude-haiku-4.5
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```
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### Available Models
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| Model ID | Description | Best For |
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|----------|-------------|----------|
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| `kr/claude-sonnet-4.5` | Claude Sonnet 4.5 | Balanced quality/speed |
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| `kr/claude-haiku-4.5` | Claude Haiku 4.5 | Fast responses |
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### Pro Tips
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- **FREE Claude** - Same quality as paid tier
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- **AWS Builder ID** - Easy setup with AWS account
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- **Unlimited usage** - No quota limits
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- **Best quality** - Claude 4.5 for free!
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---
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## Feature Comparison
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| Provider | Models | Best Model | Setup | Quota |
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|----------|--------|------------|-------|-------|
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| **iFlow** | 8 | Kimi K2 Thinking | OAuth | Unlimited |
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| **Qwen** | 3 | Qwen3 Coder Plus | Device Code | Unlimited |
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| **Kiro** | 2 | Claude Sonnet 4.5 | AWS Builder ID | Unlimited |
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**Winner:** iFlow for variety, Kiro for quality!
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---
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## Usage Example
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### Cursor IDE Setup
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```
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Settings → Models → Advanced:
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OpenAI API Base URL: http://localhost:20128/v1
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OpenAI API Key: [from 9router dashboard]
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Model: if/kimi-k2-thinking
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```
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### Create Combo (Recommended)
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```
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Dashboard → Combos → Create New
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Name: free-combo
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Models:
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1. if/kimi-k2-thinking (iFlow primary)
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2. qw/qwen3-coder-plus (Qwen backup)
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3. kr/claude-sonnet-4.5 (Kiro quality)
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Use in CLI: free-combo
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```
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**Result:** Zero cost, maximum uptime!
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---
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## Full Fallback Strategy
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### Complete 3-Tier Combo
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```
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Dashboard → Combos → Create New
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Name: complete-fallback
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Models:
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1. gc/gemini-3-flash-preview (FREE subscription)
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2. cc/claude-opus-4-5 (Paid subscription)
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3. glm/glm-4.7 (Cheap backup, $0.6/1M)
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4. minimax/MiniMax-M2.1 (Cheapest, $0.2/1M)
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5. if/kimi-k2-thinking (FREE fallback)
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6. kr/claude-sonnet-4.5 (FREE quality)
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Use in CLI: complete-fallback
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```
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**Result:**
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- Tier 1: FREE subscription (Gemini CLI)
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- Tier 2: Paid subscription (Claude Code)
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- Tier 3: Cheap backup (GLM, MiniMax)
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- Tier 4: FREE fallback (iFlow, Kiro)
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**Never stop coding!**
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---
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## Best Practices
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### 1. Use as Emergency Backup
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```
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Priority:
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1. Subscription tier (maximize paid quota)
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2. Cheap tier (pennies per 1M tokens)
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3. FREE tier (unlimited, zero cost)
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Only use free tier when:
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- Subscription quota exhausted
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- Budget limit reached
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- Testing/non-critical tasks
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```
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### 2. Choose Right Model
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```
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Complex reasoning: if/kimi-k2-thinking
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Fast coding: qw/qwen3-coder-flash
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Best quality: kr/claude-sonnet-4.5
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Long context: if/minimax-m2
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Vision tasks: qw/vision-model
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```
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### 3. Create Free-Only Combo
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```
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For zero-cost coding:
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Name: zero-cost
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Models:
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1. kr/claude-sonnet-4.5 (Best quality)
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2. if/kimi-k2-thinking (Complex tasks)
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3. qw/qwen3-coder-plus (Fast coding)
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Cost: $0 forever!
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```
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### 4. Test Before Production
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```
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Use free tier to:
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- Test prompts
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- Prototype features
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- Learn new frameworks
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- Non-critical tasks
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Save paid quota for:
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- Production code
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- Complex refactoring
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- Critical features
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```
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---
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## Real-World Examples
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### Example 1: Student/Learner (Zero Budget)
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```
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Setup:
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1. kr/claude-sonnet-4.5 (Best quality)
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2. if/kimi-k2-thinking (Complex reasoning)
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3. qw/qwen3-coder-plus (Fast coding)
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Monthly cost: $0
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Usage: Unlimited
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Perfect for:
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- Learning to code
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- Personal projects
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- Homework/assignments
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```
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### Example 2: Freelancer (Budget-Conscious)
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```
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Setup:
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1. gc/gemini-3-flash-preview (FREE 180K/month)
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2. glm/glm-4.7 (Cheap backup, $0.6/1M)
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3. if/kimi-k2-thinking (FREE fallback)
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Monthly cost: $5-10
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Usage: 100M+ tokens
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Perfect for:
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- Client projects (paid tier)
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- Testing (free tier)
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- Emergency backup
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```
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### Example 3: Heavy User (Maximize Everything)
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```
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Setup:
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1. gc/gemini-3-flash-preview (FREE 180K/month)
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2. cc/claude-opus-4-5 (Subscription $20-100)
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3. cx/gpt-5.2-codex (Subscription $20-200)
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4. glm/glm-4.7 (Cheap $0.6/1M)
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5. minimax/MiniMax-M2.1 (Cheapest $0.2/1M)
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6. if/kimi-k2-thinking (FREE unlimited)
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7. kr/claude-sonnet-4.5 (FREE quality)
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Monthly cost: $40-320 (subscriptions) + $10-20 (cheap tier)
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Usage: 500M+ tokens
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Perfect for:
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- Professional development
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- Team projects
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- 24/7 coding
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```
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---
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## Cost Comparison
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### Scenario: 100M tokens/month
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**Option 1: ChatGPT API Only**
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```
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100M × $20/1M = $2,000/month
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```
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**Option 2: 9Router Free Tier Only**
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```
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100M via free tier = $0/month
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Savings: $2,000/month (100%)
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```
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**Option 3: 9Router Complete Strategy**
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```
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60M via Gemini CLI (FREE): $0
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30M via Claude Code (subscription): $0 extra
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8M via GLM (cheap): $4.80
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2M via iFlow (FREE): $0
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Total: $4.80/month + subscriptions you already have
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Savings: $1,995/month (99.76%)
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```
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---
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## Troubleshooting
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### "OAuth failed"
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**Solution:**
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- Check internet connection
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- Try different browser
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- Clear browser cache
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- Reconnect in dashboard
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### "Model not available"
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**Solution:**
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- Check provider connected in dashboard
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- Verify OAuth token valid
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- Reconnect provider if needed
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### "Slow responses"
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**Solution:**
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- Free tier may have lower priority
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- Use during off-peak hours
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- Switch to different free provider
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- Upgrade to cheap tier for speed
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---
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## Limitations
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### Free Tier Considerations
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- **Speed** - May be slower than paid tiers
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- **Priority** - Lower priority during peak hours
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- **Rate limits** - Possible rate limiting (but unlimited quota)
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- **Availability** - May have occasional downtime
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**Solution:** Use 3-tier fallback strategy for reliability!
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---
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## Next Steps
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- **Setup subscriptions:** [Subscription Providers](./subscription.md)
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- **Add cheap backup:** [Cheap Providers](./cheap.md)
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- **Create combos:** Dashboard → Combos → Create New
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- **Start coding:** Use `complete-fallback` combo for maximum reliability
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