The Testing Academy · Guides OpenRouter · VS Code · Copilot Chat
Guide · 4 min video · watch and follow

Integrate OpenRouter with VS Code

Use advanced models like DeepSeek directly inside GitHub Copilot Chat, with nothing to install. Just an API key and two minutes of settings. Watch the video first, then follow the steps.

01

Get the OpenRouter API key

  1. Visit openrouter.ai and log in or create an account.
  2. Go to the API Keys section, click Create API Key, and copy the key.

Full walkthrough with billing and credits: How to get an OpenRouter key and add credits. Keep the key secure and never share it publicly.

02

Open VS Code and Copilot Chat

  1. Launch Visual Studio Code.
  2. Open the GitHub Copilot Chat panel.
03

Access the model settings

  1. In Copilot Chat, click the model selector (it usually says Auto).
  2. Select Other Models.
  3. Click the Settings / wrench icon.
04

Connect OpenRouter

  1. Click Add Model and choose OpenRouter.
  2. Provide a name.
  3. Paste your OpenRouter API key.
  4. Save the configuration.

Your VS Code is now connected to OpenRouter.

05

Add a DeepSeek model

  1. In the model search, type or paste the model you want. Example:
deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash-latest
  1. Or select the model from the results.
  2. Click Pin to save it. Pinning gives you quick access to the model later.
06

Switch the model and start using it

  1. Close settings and open Copilot Chat again.
  2. Change the model from Auto to DeepSeek V4 Flash.
  3. Try it: Write a Playwright test for login functionality

All responses are now generated by DeepSeek via OpenRouter. You can add and pin multiple models (Claude, Qwen and more) and switch anytime: coding, debugging, test generation, whatever the task needs.

07

Reference links