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Configure Zed Editor to use Nordlys’s Mixture of Models model for high-quality AI-assisted coding.
Get the best AI specialist for every prompt with a Mixture of Models model. Works as an OpenAI-compatible provider in Zed Editor.

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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/zed.sh | bash
The installer will automatically:
  • Check if Zed is installed
  • Configure OpenAI-compatible provider with Nordlys
  • Backup existing settings
  • Add environment variables to your shell profile

Restart Zed Editor

Close and restart Zed Editor to load the new configuration.

Open Agent Panel

Open the Agent Panel using:
  • macOS: Cmd + Shift + A
  • Windows/Linux: Ctrl + Shift + A
Or via Command Palette: agent: toggle

Select Nordlys Model

In the Agent Panel:
  1. Click the model dropdown
  2. Look for “Nordlys” section
  3. Select “Hypernova”
You’re now using Nordlys Mixture of Models!

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Manual Installation

If you prefer to configure Zed manually:

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Step 1: Locate Settings File

~/.config/zed/settings.json

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Step 2: Add Nordlys Configuration

Open your settings.json and add the Nordlys provider configuration: 
{
  "language_models": {
    "openai_compatible": {
      "Nordlys": {
        "api_url": "https://api.nordlyslabs.com/v1",
        "available_models": [
          {
            "name": "nordlys/hypernova",
            "display_name": "Hypernova",
            "max_tokens": 200000,
            "capabilities": {
              "tools": true,
              "images": true,
              "parallel_tool_calls": true,
              "prompt_cache_key": false
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "agent": {
    "default_model": {
      "provider": "openai_compatible",
      "model": "nordlys/hypernova",
      "name": "Nordlys"
    }
  }
}

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Step 3: Set API Key

Add your Nordlys API key as an environment variable: 
export NORDLYS_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
Restart your terminal and Zed Editor.

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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/zed.sh | bash

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Features with Nordlys

Mixture of Models

The right specialists activate per prompt for optimal results

Cost Optimization

Intelligent model selection for better value and performance

Tool Support

Full support for function calling and tool use

Vision Capabilities

Process and analyze images in your conversations

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Agent Panel Profiles

Zed’s Agent Panel supports different interaction profiles:
  • Ask: Query-focused interactions for quick questions
  • Write: Generate code, documentation, and content
  • Minimal: Lightweight interactions with minimal context
All profiles work seamlessly with Nordlys models.

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Troubleshooting

  • Verify settings.json syntax is valid (check for missing commas, brackets)
  • Ensure Zed has been fully restarted after configuration
  • Check that the language_models section is at the root level of your JSON
  • Review Zed’s log output: zed: open log
  • Verify your API key at nordlyslabs.com/api-platform/orgs
  • Ensure NORDLYS_API_KEY environment variable is set
  • Restart your terminal and Zed after setting the environment variable
  • Check the environment variable is loaded: echo $NORDLYS_API_KEY (Unix) or $env:NORDLYS_API_KEY (PowerShell)
  • Check that api_url is set to https://api.nordlyslabs.com/v1
  • Verify network connectivity to api.nordlyslabs.com
  • Check for proxy settings that might interfere
  • Review error messages in Zed’s log: zed: open log
  • Ensure Zed is installed: visit zed.dev
  • Check that Python 3 is available (required by installer)
  • Manually backup your settings before running the installer
  • Try manual configuration if the installer fails

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Advanced Configuration

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Custom Model Parameters

You can customize model parameters by modifying the available_models section: 
{
  "language_models": {
    "openai_compatible": {
      "Nordlys": {
        "api_url": "https://api.nordlyslabs.com/v1",
        "available_models": [
          {
            "name": "nordlys/hypernova",
            "display_name": "Hypernova (Custom)",
            "max_tokens": 200000,
            "max_output_tokens": 8192,
            "capabilities": {
              "tools": true,
              "images": true,
              "parallel_tool_calls": true
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

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Multiple Provider Configuration

You can configure multiple OpenAI-compatible providers: 
{
  "language_models": {
    "openai_compatible": {
      "Nordlys": {
        "api_url": "https://api.nordlyslabs.com/v1",
        "available_models": [/* ... */]
      },
      "Another Provider": {
        "api_url": "https://api.example.com/v1",
        "available_models": [/* ... */]
      }
    }
  }
}

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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

Other Dev Tools

Explore other AI development tools with Nordlys integration

Get Support

Troubleshooting guides and support resources
Was this page helpful? Contact us at [email protected] for feedback or assistance with your Zed integration.