# How to use ZCode with Subconscious

> To use ZCode with Subconscious, open Model Settings, add a provider named Subconscious, enter the base URL `https://api.subconscious.dev/v1` and your Subconscious API key, then add the model `subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon` and enable it. ZCode then runs GLM-5.3 Marathon on Subconscious, billed per token.

Canonical page: https://www.subconscious.dev/agents/terminal-and-ide/zcode
Category: [Terminal and IDE agents](https://www.subconscious.dev/agents/terminal-and-ide)
Last verified: 2026-09-30
ZCode: https://zcode.z.ai/en
Source: https://github.com/zai-org/ZCode

## Before you start

- The ZCode desktop app for macOS, Windows or Linux
- A Subconscious account and API key

## Set up ZCode

### 1. Create a Subconscious API key

Sign in at https://platform.subconscious.dev and create an API key. You will paste it into the settings screen below.

### 2. Add a provider

In ZCode, open Model Settings and choose Add Provider at the bottom of the provider list. Name it Subconscious.

### 3. Enter the endpoint and key

Enter the base URL by hand and paste your API key. If ZCode asks for an API format, choose the OpenAI chat completions option.

- Base URL: `https://api.subconscious.dev/v1`
- API key: `Your Subconscious API key`

### 4. Add the model and enable it

Choose Add Model and enter the model ID, then turn on the provider's enable switch and pick the model in a session.

- Model: `subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon`

## Connection details

- OpenAI-compatible base URL: https://api.subconscious.dev/v1
- Anthropic-compatible base URL: https://api.subconscious.dev
- API key: From subc login or the Subconscious dashboard
- Model: subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon
- Multimodal, high-throughput model: subconscious/deepseek-v4.1-flash-marathon

Full API reference: https://docs.subconscious.dev

## Frequently asked questions

### Which Subconscious model should I use with ZCode?

Start with subconscious/glm-5.3-marathon, an open frontier coding model built for long agent runs. subconscious/deepseek-v4.1-flash-marathon is a cheaper, high-throughput alternative that also takes image input. Use the full model ID, including the subconscious/ prefix.

### Is ZCode on Subconscious OpenAI- or Anthropic-compatible?

This guide connects ZCode through the OpenAI-compatible Subconscious API. Subconscious serves both formats: OpenAI Chat Completions at https://api.subconscious.dev/v1 and Anthropic Messages at https://api.subconscious.dev.

### How is ZCode usage on Subconscious billed?

Per token by default, with no commitment. Heavy users can switch to a monthly token plan: a fixed price for a large daily token allowance shared across your team.