Core concepts
What is a model?
Learn what AI models do and how they fit into Dexto.A model is the AI that reads a request and decides what to say or do next. If an agent is an AI teammate, the model is the part that does the thinking.
Examples of models
Section titled “Examples of models”You may already know some model families:
- GPT, made by OpenAI. Dexto supports models such as GPT-5 Mini.
- Claude, made by Anthropic. One example is Claude Sonnet 4.6.
- Gemini, made by Google. One example is Gemini 3.5 Flash.
- Grok, made by xAI. One example is Grok 4.5.
- Composer, made by Cursor. One example is Composer 2.5.
These are different products that can power an agent. They are not agents by themselves.
Model versus agent
Section titled “Model versus agent”A model provides general intelligence. An agent adds a job, instructions, skills, tools, and access to other services.
For example, the same model could power a research agent and a writing agent. The agents behave differently because they have different instructions and abilities.
Choosing a model
Section titled “Choosing a model”Different models balance speed, cost, and capability differently. Some can also understand images, PDFs, audio, or video. Start with Dexto’s default model unless you have a specific reason to change it.
Bring your own key
Section titled “Bring your own key”Dexto can use an AI provider account you already have. This is called bring your own key, or BYOK.
You can connect an API key from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Cursor. OpenAI also supports ChatGPT Login, which lets you use your OpenAI access without copying an API key.
Add or manage your connections in Model settings. Dexto checks a new connection before saving it, so you know whether it works.
How BYOK billing works
Section titled “How BYOK billing works”When you use an API key, that model usage is billed by the provider instead of using your Dexto credits. ChatGPT Login follows the limits of your OpenAI plan.
BYOK is useful if you already have provider billing set up or want to manage model access through your own account. You do not need BYOK to get started with Dexto.
Supported models
Section titled “Supported models”Dexto supports more than 300 models across leading AI providers. Browse the supported models catalog to compare the current choices and see what each model can work with.