Connecting and managing an LLM provider is an Owner/Admin task. Members see the connected models in Chat but cannot change keys or the model allowlist — some controls show Requires Admin permission to change.
Why a provider is required
Every reply in Chat and every AI step in an agent is generated by a model from a connected provider. Until one is connected, the chat composer is blocked and prompts you to connect a provider, with a button that links straight to Connectors. Providers appear in the Connectors list with an LLM type badge. Erstan supports OpenAI and Anthropic.Connect a provider
You connect a provider by pasting one workspace API key from that provider. The key is stored for this workspace only.1
Open the provider connector
Go to Connectors, then open OpenAI or Anthropic. (NetSuite is connected separately — see Connecting NetSuite.)
2
Go to the Tokens tab
Open the Tokens tab and find the Provider API key field.
3
Paste your API key and save
Paste the API key from your OpenAI or Anthropic account and save. One workspace API key applies per provider.
4
Enable the models you want
Switch to the Models tab to choose which models agents and Chat can use (next section).
Choose which models are enabled
The Models tab lists the provider’s Available models, which are managed by Erstan Admin. From there you control your workspace allowlist:- Toggle individual models on or off, then Save.
- Use Reset to defaults to return to the standard set.
- Search the model list and open a model for its details.
- Enabled models become the choices in the Chat model picker; Chat and agents fall back to the workspace default when no model is chosen.
Provider Tools
OpenAI and Anthropic also expose Provider Tools — provider built-ins such as web search, file search, and code interpreter — in a separate sub-card on the connector. These are managed alongside the provider rather than as NetSuite tools.How model choice surfaces in Chat
Once a provider is connected and models are enabled, you pick a model per conversation from Model settings in the chat composer’s + menu. It sets the provider, model, and reasoning effort together.
Choosing a model and reasoning effort
- Chat remembers your last-used model so you don’t reset it every time.
- If you don’t choose one, Chat uses the workspace default.
- Higher reasoning effort trades speed for more careful answers on complex finance questions.
Common questions
Do I need a provider if I already connected NetSuite?
Do I need a provider if I already connected NetSuite?
Yes. NetSuite is the data connector; an LLM provider supplies the model that reads and reasons over that data. Chat and agents stay blocked until both are in place. See Connect NetSuite.
Can each member use their own API key?
Can each member use their own API key?
No. There is one workspace API key per provider, set by an Owner or Admin, and everyone in the workspace shares it.
A model I want isn't in the list.
A model I want isn't in the list.
Available models are managed by Erstan Admin. If a model isn’t offered for the provider, it can’t be enabled. Check that your provider account has access to that model, and confirm an admin hasn’t turned it off in the Models tab.
Chat still says it needs an LLM provider.
Chat still says it needs an LLM provider.
The provider has no valid key, or no models are enabled. Open the connector, confirm the Provider API key is saved on the Tokens tab, and enable at least one model on the Models tab.
Next steps
Connectors overview
See every connector and its connection status.
Connect NetSuite
Link your NetSuite account so agents can read and act on your data.
Knowledge, tools & models in Chat
Control what Erstan can see and which model it uses per message.
Connection troubleshooting
Fix expired keys, unhealthy connections, and re-authentication.