Use BigModel.io with n8n

Connect n8n to BigModel.io with an OpenAI credential whose Base URL is https://bigmodel.io/v1, then use GLM, Kimi or DeepSeek in the OpenAI Chat Model node by ID.

On this page
  1. Create the credential
  2. Use it in a workflow
  3. Verify the setup
  4. Troubleshooting
  5. Related

n8n's built-in OpenAI credential accepts a custom Base URL, so the OpenAI Chat Model node and AI Agent workflows can call BigModel.io models.

Setting Value
Credential type OpenAI
API Key your BigModel.io API key (sk-...)
Base URL https://bigmodel.io/v1 (must end in /v1)
Model (in the node) By ID: a model ID from the model catalog, e.g. glm-5.3
Use Responses API off (Chat Completions)

#Create the credential

  1. In n8n, open Credentials → Add credential and choose OpenAI.
  2. Paste your key from API Keys into API Key.
  3. Set Base URL to https://bigmodel.io/v1.
  4. Save. n8n tests the credential by calling GET https://bigmodel.io/v1/models.

The Base URL is set on the credential. Recent versions of the OpenAI Chat Model node do not show a node-level base URL.

#Use it in a workflow

  1. Add an OpenAI Chat Model node (for example under an AI Agent or a Basic LLM Chain) and select the credential.
  2. For Model, choose By ID and enter the exact ID, for example glm-5.3. From list also works when the credential test lists your models.
  3. Keep Use Responses API off. Chat Completions-only GLM and DeepSeek groups return 404 on /v1/responses.

#Verify the setup

Run the workflow once with a short prompt such as "ping". The node output should contain a reply, and the request should appear in Usage with the model ID you entered.

#Troubleshooting

Credential test fails with 403 INSUFFICIENT_BALANCE. The test calls /v1/models, which needs a balance above $0. Top up in Billing and test again.

Credential test fails with 404. The Base URL is missing /v1 or has an extra path. Use https://bigmodel.io/v1.

401 INVALID_API_KEY. The key has spaces or was deleted. Copy it again from API Keys.

404 not_found_error: ... /v1/responses is not available. Use Responses API is on with a key from a Chat Completions-only group. Turn it off.

503 api_error: No available accounts: no available accounts supporting model: .... The model ID is misspelled or not served by your key's group.

429 during batch runs. rate_limit_error means too many parallel requests ("Too many pending requests"); add a wait or lower batch size. rate_limit_exceeded with a message like "api key 5小时限额已用完" means a key spend window is used up.

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