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Configure Qwen Code to use Nordlys’s Mixture of Models model for coding tasks.
Mixture of Models model with prompt‑activated specialists. Works as a drop-in replacement for Qwen Code’s API backend with lab-grade quality and cost control.

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Benefits of Using Qwen Code with Nordlys

When you integrate Qwen Code with Nordlys, you unlock powerful capabilities:
  • Mixture of Models Activation: The right specialists activate per prompt
  • Cost Optimization: Optimize API costs with lab‑tuned models
  • Consistent Quality: Stable output quality across coding tasks
  • Drop-in Integration: OpenAI-compatible settings with zero code changes
  • Usage Analytics: Monitor model usage, costs, and performance in real-time

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Get Your Nordlys API Key

Sign up here to create an account and generate your API key.

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Quick Setup

Run Automated Installer

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Nordlys-Labs/nordlys/main/scripts/installers/unix/qwen-code.sh | bash
The installer will automatically:
  • Install Qwen Code if not present (via npm)
  • Configure OpenAI-compatible environment variables for Nordlys
  • Add configuration to your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.)
  • Verify the installation

Verify Configuration

qwen --version
echo $OPENAI_API_KEY
echo $OPENAI_BASE_URL

Start Using

qwen
Qwen Code configured with Nordlys

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Manual Installation

If you prefer to set up Qwen Code manually or need more control over the installation process:

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Step 1: Install Qwen Code

npm install -g @qwen-code/qwen-code@latest
Qwen Code requires Node.js 20 or higher. Check your version with node --version.

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Step 2: Configure Environment Variables

Qwen Code uses OpenAI-compatible API configuration: 
# Qwen Code with Nordlys AI model API Configuration
export OPENAI_API_KEY="your-nordlys-api-key-here"  # qwen-code
export OPENAI_BASE_URL="https://api.nordlyslabs.com/v1"  # qwen-code
export OPENAI_MODEL="nordlys/hypernova"  # qwen-code - for automatic Nordlys model

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Step 3: Apply Configuration

# For Bash/Zsh
source ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc

# For Fish
source ~/.config/fish/config.fish

# Or restart your terminal

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Step 4: Verify Installation

qwen --version
qwen

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Alternative Setup Methods

export NORDLYS_API_KEY='your-api-key-here'
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Nordlys-Labs/nordlys/main/scripts/installers/unix/qwen-code.sh | bash
# The installer will automatically configure your shell

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Troubleshooting

Problem: Qwen Code installation failsSolutions:
  • Ensure Node.js 20+ is installed: node --version
  • Install Node.js if needed: 
    # Using nvm (recommended)
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.3/install.sh | bash
nvm install 22
  • Check npm permissions: npm config get prefix
  • Try with sudo (not recommended): sudo npm install -g @qwen-code/qwen-code
  • Clear npm cache: npm cache clean --force
Problem: “Unauthorized” or “Invalid API key” errorsSolutions:
  1. Verify your API key at nordlyslabs.com/api-platform/orgs
  2. Check environment variables are set: 
    echo $OPENAI_API_KEY
echo $OPENAI_BASE_URL
echo $OPENAI_MODEL
  3. Ensure variables are exported in your shell config: 
    # Bash/Zsh
source ~/.bashrc  # or ~/.zshrc

# Fish
source ~/.config/fish/config.fish
  4. Restart your terminal if changes were made to shell config
  5. Verify the base URL is correct: https://api.nordlyslabs.com/v1
  6. Check for the # qwen-code comment to ensure correct environment variables
Problem: Cannot connect to Nordlys APISolutions:
  • Check internet connectivity
  • Verify base URL is correct: echo $OPENAI_BASE_URL
  • Test API directly: 
    curl -X POST https://api.nordlyslabs.com/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $OPENAI_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "nordlys/hypernova",
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello"}]
  }'
  • Check if your network/firewall blocks the API endpoint
  • Try using a different network or VPN
Problem: Requests fail due to a model ID errorSolutions:
  1. Set the model ID explicitly: 
    export OPENAI_MODEL='nordlys/hypernova'
  2. Confirm the value is spelled exactly and matches the docs.
Problem: Slow response times or timeoutsSolutions:
  • Verify rate limits aren’t exceeded
  • Check your network connection
  • Reduce prompt size or request complexity
  • Retry with smaller batches if processing large files

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Uninstallation

If you need to remove Qwen Code or revert configuration:
1

Remove Qwen Code

npm uninstall -g @qwen-code/qwen-code
2

Remove Environment Variables

Edit your shell config file and remove these lines:
# Qwen Code with Nordlys AI model API Configuration
export OPENAI_API_KEY="..." # qwen-code
export OPENAI_BASE_URL="..." # qwen-code
export OPENAI_MODEL="..." # qwen-code
3

Reload Shell Configuration

source ~/.bashrc # or ~/.zshrc or ~/.config/fish/config.fish

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Next Steps

Monitor Usage & Savings

Track your cost savings and usage analytics in real-time

API Documentation

Learn about Nordlys’s API capabilities and advanced features

More CLI Tools

Explore other CLI tools with Nordlys integration

Advanced Model selection

Learn about Nordlys Mixture of Models and load balancing
Was this page helpful? Contact us at [email protected] for feedback or assistance with your Qwen Code integration.