Add an AI by its address in Settings → AI (#137)

Settings → AI gets an Add an AI by its address form; AiHub::add_server asks the server for its models before adding it and picks one that can chat when none is named; ai add --kind openai_compatible --base-url without --model does the same. Fixes #54, #98 and #128.

apps/craft-anything-cli/src/ai_cmd.rs

@@ -215,6 +215,16 @@ pub fn ai(cli: &Cli, c: &AiCommand, f: Format) -> u8 {
                 Ok(k) => k,
                 Err(m) => return crate::usage_error(&m),
             };
+            // A server by its address with no model named: asked for its models, and one that can chat is used.
+            if let (BackendKind::OpenaiCompatible, Some(address), None) = (kind, base_url, model) {
+                return match hub.add_server(name, address, None, key) {
+                    Ok(model) => {
+                        emit(&json!({"added": {"name": name, "kind": kind, "model": model, "base_url": address}}), f);
+                        0
+                    }
+                    Err(e) => fail(&e, f),
+                };
+            }
             let model = model.clone().or_else(|| kind.suggested_models().first().map(|m| m.to_string())).unwrap_or_default();
             let cfg = BackendConfig { name: name.clone(), kind, model, base_url: base_url.clone(), ssh_host: ssh_host.clone(), enabled: true };
             match hub.add_backend(cfg.clone(), key) {

crates/ai/src/detect.rs

@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ pub fn port_open(base_url: &str, timeout: Duration) -> bool {
 const NOT_CHAT: &[&str] = &["embed", "minilm", "bge-", "rerank", "whisper", "tts"];
 
 /// The first model a server lists that can chat (else its first, so something is chosen).
-fn chat_model(models: &[String]) -> Option<String> {
+pub(crate) fn chat_model(models: &[String]) -> Option<String> {
     let chats = |m: &&String| !NOT_CHAT.iter().any(|w| m.to_ascii_lowercase().contains(w));
     models.iter().find(chats).or(models.first()).cloned()
 }

crates/ai/src/lib.rs

@@ -337,6 +337,44 @@ impl AiHub {
         self.add_backend_with(BackendEntry { config: cfg, options: BackendOptions::default() }, key)
     }
 
+    /// Add an OpenAI-compatible server by its address: Ollama or LM Studio on another computer, or
+    /// a hosted service with its key. It's added only when it answers with its models; without a
+    /// model, the first one it lists that can chat is used. Returns the model.
+    pub fn add_server(&self, name: &str, address: &str, model: Option<&str>, key: Option<String>) -> Result<String, ToolError> {
+        let name = name.trim();
+        let address = address.trim().trim_end_matches('/');
+        if name.is_empty() {
+            return Err(ToolError::invalid("A backend needs a name."));
+        }
+        if !(address.starts_with("http://") || address.starts_with("https://")) {
+            return Err(ToolError::invalid(format!("{address:?} isn't a web address."))
+                .with_remediation("Give the server's address, like http://192.168.1.20:11434/v1."));
+        }
+        let key = key.map(|k| k.trim().to_string()).filter(|k| !k.is_empty());
+        let models = openai::OpenAi::compatible(name, address, key.clone(), "").list_models(Duration::from_secs(10)).map_err(|e| {
+            let why = e.message.clone();
+            e.with_remediation(format!(
+                "Check the address (it usually ends in /v1), that the server is running and can be reached from this computer, and its key if it needs one. ({why})"
+            ))
+        })?;
+        let model = match model.map(str::trim).filter(|m| !m.is_empty()) {
+            Some(m) => m.to_string(),
+            None => detect::chat_model(&models).ok_or_else(|| {
+                ToolError::new(ErrorCode::NotFound, format!("{address} has no models yet.")).with_remediation("Add a model on the server first, or name one.")
+            })?,
+        };
+        let config = BackendConfig {
+            name: name.to_string(),
+            kind: BackendKind::OpenaiCompatible,
+            model: model.clone(),
+            base_url: Some(address.to_string()),
+            ssh_host: None,
+            enabled: true,
+        };
+        self.add_backend(config, key)?;
+        Ok(model)
+    }
+
     /// Like [`AiHub::add_backend`], with options.
     pub fn add_backend_with(&self, entry: BackendEntry, key: Option<String>) -> Result<(), ToolError> {
         if entry.config.name.trim().is_empty() {

crates/ai/src/tests.rs

@@ -172,6 +172,23 @@ fn an_agent_apps_program_is_set_and_cleared() {
     assert!(h.commands().is_empty(), "blank finds it by its usual name again");
 }
 
+/// #54, #98: a server on another computer is added by its address, with a model that can chat
+/// when none is named; one that doesn't answer with its models isn't added.
+#[test]
+fn a_server_is_added_by_its_address() {
+    let (h, _d) = hub();
+    let url = serve("200 OK", r#"{"object":"list","data":[{"id":"nomic-embed-text"},{"id":"qwen3:8b"}]}"#);
+    assert_eq!(h.add_server(" Studio box ", &format!("{url}/"), None, Some(" sk-test ".into())).unwrap(), "qwen3:8b");
+    let b = h.backends().into_iter().find(|b| b.name == "Studio box").unwrap();
+    assert_eq!((b.kind, b.model.as_str(), b.base_url.as_deref()), (BackendKind::OpenaiCompatible, "qwen3:8b", Some(url.as_str())));
+    assert_eq!(h.add_server("Named", &url, Some("llama3"), None).unwrap(), "llama3", "a named model is kept");
+    assert!(h.add_server("Web page", &serve("404 Not Found", "nope"), None, None).is_err(), "not a model server");
+    assert!(h.add_server("Empty", &serve("200 OK", r#"{"object":"list","data":[]}"#), None, None).is_err(), "no models to use");
+    assert!(h.add_server("No scheme", "192.168.1.20:11434/v1", None, None).is_err());
+    assert!(h.add_server(" ", &url, None, None).is_err());
+    assert_eq!(h.backends().len(), 2, "only the ones that answered");
+}
+
 fn add(h: &AiHub, name: &str, kind: BackendKind, base: &str, key: Option<&str>) {
     h.add_backend(
         BackendConfig { name: name.into(), kind, model: String::new(), base_url: Some(base.into()), ssh_host: None, enabled: true },

crates/ui-egui/src/builders.rs

@@ -83,6 +83,18 @@ impl CraftApp {
         });
     }
 
+    /// Connect the server in Settings → AI's address form. Its key goes to the keychain; the form
+    /// keeps what was typed until it's added, so a mistake can be fixed.
+    pub fn add_server(&mut self) {
+        let hub = self.hub.clone();
+        let f = &self.server_form;
+        let (name, address, model, key) = (f.name.trim().to_string(), f.address.clone(), f.model.trim().to_string(), Some(f.key.clone()));
+        self.jobs.spawn(trf("Connect {name}", &[("name", &name)]), true, move |_| {
+            let result = hub.add_server(&name, &address, Some(model.as_str()).filter(|m| !m.is_empty()), key).map(|_| ());
+            Ok(crate::Done::BackendAdded { name, result })
+        });
+    }
+
     /// Run an agent app from this program (`None`: find it by its usual name again).
     pub fn set_agent_program(&mut self, name: &str, program: Option<String>) {
         let (hub, name) = (self.hub.clone(), name.to_string());

crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hans.tsv

@@ -69,9 +69,12 @@ AI cost	AI 费用
 AI cost (estimate)	AI 费用 (估算)
 AI cost (part estimate)	AI 费用 (部分为估算)
 AI model file	AI 模型文件
+AI name	AI 名称
 AI use this session	本次会话的 AI 用量
 API boundary	API 边界
+API key	API 密钥
 API key (stored in your system keychain)	API 密钥 (存储在系统钥匙串中)
+API key, if it needs one	API 密钥 (如需要)
 About 10 GB. Free for personal use with a Unity account.	约 10 GB。个人使用免费，需要 Unity 账户。
 About 60 GB, an Epic Games account, and Visual Studio's C++ tools.	约 60 GB，需要 Epic Games 账户和 Visual Studio 的 C++ 工具。
 Add	添加
@@ -81,6 +84,7 @@ Add a fal.ai key	添加 fal.ai 密钥
 Add a folder…	添加文件夹…
 Add a plugin	添加插件
 Add an AI brain and I'll read this evidence for you, answer follow-up questions and point at the proof.	添加 AI 助手后，我就能为你解读这些证据、回答后续问题，并指出依据。
+Add an AI by its address	按地址添加 AI
 Add more info. The builder reads it at its next step.	补充更多信息。构建助手会在下一步读取。
 Add pictures	添加图片
 Add pictures of the original	添加原作图片
@@ -649,6 +653,7 @@ Medium	中
 Memory for Ghidra	Ghidra 内存用量
 Minimise	最小化
 Mode	模式
+Model	模型
 Modules	模块
 More detail	更多详情
 More makes a big program's first look faster.	分配更多内存可加快大型程序的首次分析。
@@ -712,6 +717,7 @@ Objective-C protocols	Objective-C 协议
 Observe a JS runtime	观察 JS 运行时
 Of this, {cost} was charged to an API key.	其中 {cost} 通过 API 密钥计费。
 Off	关闭
+Ollama or LM Studio on another computer, or any service that speaks the OpenAI API.	另一台电脑上的 Ollama 或 LM Studio，或任何兼容 OpenAI API 的服务。
 On	开启
 One line, in plain words. It stays on this computer and is never sent anywhere.	用一句通俗的话说明。内容只保留在本机，绝不会发送到其他地方。
 One-shot instrumentation	单次插桩
@@ -953,6 +959,7 @@ Selection	所选内容
 Send	发送
 Send (Enter)	发送 (Enter)
 Send now	立即发送
+Server address	服务器地址
 Session status	会话状态
 Set a project's asset budget	设置项目素材预算
 Set an AI's program	设置 AI 的程序
@@ -1238,6 +1245,7 @@ Your website is ready	你的网站已就绪
 a new folder in {dir}	{dir} 中的新文件夹
 a picture	每张图片
 about ${n}	约 ${n}
+address, e.g. http://192.168.1.20:11434/v1	地址，例如 http://192.168.1.20:11434/v1
 and {n} more	以及另外 {n} 项
 arguments (optional)	参数 (可选)
 call graph	调用图
@@ -1258,8 +1266,10 @@ job result	任务结果
 job {title} panicked: {what}	任务 {title} 发生异常：{what}
 just now	刚刚
 managed	由应用管理
+model (optional)	模型 (可选)
 must be a number	必须是数字
 must be a whole number	必须是整数
+name, e.g. Studio box	名称，例如 工作室电脑
 number	数字
 objdump output	objdump 输出
 or start with /btw to just ask	或以 /btw 开头，仅提出问题

crates/ui-egui/src/i18n/zh-hant.tsv

@@ -69,9 +69,12 @@ AI cost	AI 費用
 AI cost (estimate)	AI 費用 (估算)
 AI cost (part estimate)	AI 費用 (部分為估算)
 AI model file	AI 模型檔案
+AI name	AI 名稱
 AI use this session	本次工作階段的 AI 用量
 API boundary	API 邊界
+API key	API 金鑰
 API key (stored in your system keychain)	API 金鑰 (儲存在系統鑰匙圈中)
+API key, if it needs one	API 金鑰 (如需要)
 About 10 GB. Free for personal use with a Unity account.	約 10 GB。個人使用免費，需要 Unity 帳戶。
 About 60 GB, an Epic Games account, and Visual Studio's C++ tools.	約 60 GB，需要 Epic Games 帳戶和 Visual Studio 的 C++ 工具。
 Add	新增
@@ -81,6 +84,7 @@ Add a fal.ai key	新增 fal.ai 金鑰
 Add a folder…	新增資料夾…
 Add a plugin	新增外掛
 Add an AI brain and I'll read this evidence for you, answer follow-up questions and point at the proof.	新增 AI 助手後，我就能為你解讀這些證據、回答後續問題，並指出依據。
+Add an AI by its address	依位址新增 AI
 Add more info. The builder reads it at its next step.	補充更多資訊。建置助手會在下一步讀取。
 Add pictures	新增圖片
 Add pictures of the original	新增原作圖片
@@ -649,6 +653,7 @@ Medium	中
 Memory for Ghidra	Ghidra 記憶體用量
 Minimise	最小化
 Mode	模式
+Model	模型
 Modules	模組
 More detail	更多詳細資訊
 More makes a big program's first look faster.	分配更多記憶體可加快大型程式的首次分析。
@@ -712,6 +717,7 @@ Objective-C protocols	Objective-C 協定
 Observe a JS runtime	觀察 JS 執行環境
 Of this, {cost} was charged to an API key.	其中 {cost} 透過 API 金鑰計費。
 Off	關閉
+Ollama or LM Studio on another computer, or any service that speaks the OpenAI API.	另一台電腦上的 Ollama 或 LM Studio，或任何相容 OpenAI API 的服務。
 On	開啟
 One line, in plain words. It stays on this computer and is never sent anywhere.	用一句淺白的話說明。內容只保留在本機，絕不會傳送到其他地方。
 One-shot instrumentation	單次插樁
@@ -953,6 +959,7 @@ Selection	所選內容
 Send	傳送
 Send (Enter)	傳送 (Enter)
 Send now	立即傳送
+Server address	伺服器位址
 Session status	工作階段狀態
 Set a project's asset budget	設定專案素材預算
 Set an AI's program	設定 AI 的程式
@@ -1238,6 +1245,7 @@ Your website is ready	你的網站已就緒
 a new folder in {dir}	{dir} 中的新資料夾
 a picture	每張圖片
 about ${n}	約 ${n}
+address, e.g. http://192.168.1.20:11434/v1	位址，例如 http://192.168.1.20:11434/v1
 and {n} more	以及另外 {n} 項
 arguments (optional)	引數 (選填)
 call graph	呼叫圖
@@ -1258,8 +1266,10 @@ job result	工作結果
 job {title} panicked: {what}	工作 {title} 發生異常：{what}
 just now	剛剛
 managed	由應用程式管理
+model (optional)	模型 (選填)
 must be a number	必須是數字
 must be a whole number	必須是整數
+name, e.g. Studio box	名稱，例如 工作室電腦
 number	數字
 objdump output	objdump 輸出
 or start with /btw to just ask	或以 /btw 開頭，僅提出問題

crates/ui-egui/src/lib.rs

@@ -220,6 +220,17 @@ pub enum Done {
     Nothing,
 }
 
+/// An AI server added by its address (Settings → AI): another computer's Ollama or LM Studio, or a
+/// service that speaks the OpenAI API.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Default)]
+pub struct ServerForm {
+    pub name: String,
+    pub address: String,
+    /// Empty: the first model it lists that can chat.
+    pub model: String,
+    pub key: String,
+}
+
 /// What a file dialog was for.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
 pub enum Pick {
@@ -341,6 +352,9 @@ pub struct CraftApp {
     pub detecting: bool,
     pub log: Vec<LogLine>,
     pub key_inputs: std::collections::BTreeMap<String, String>,
+    /// Settings → AI's "Add an AI by its address" form. Not kept with the UI state: its key goes
+    /// only to the keychain.
+    pub server_form: ServerForm,
     /// Every project's rebuild in this window: working, waiting their turn, or finished.
     pub runs: craft_anything_ai::rebuild::RunSet,
     /// What was typed for each note still waiting for a builder, by note id, to put back in the
@@ -431,6 +445,7 @@ impl CraftApp {
             detecting: false,
             log: Vec::new(),
             key_inputs: Default::default(),
+            server_form: ServerForm::default(),
             runs: craft_anything_ai::rebuild::RunSet::new(craft_anything_engine::settings::BuildSettings::default().parallel),
             drafts: Default::default(),
             usage: Default::default(),
@@ -1273,6 +1288,9 @@ impl CraftApp {
             }
             Done::BackendAdded { name, result } => match result {
                 Ok(()) => {
+                    if self.server_form.name.trim() == name {
+                        self.server_form = ServerForm::default();
+                    }
                     self.toast(i18n::trf("{name} is ready", &[("name", &name)]), false);
                     self.choose_backend(Some(name));
                     self.refresh_backends();

crates/ui-egui/src/settings_ui.rs

@@ -482,6 +482,41 @@ fn ai(app: &mut CraftApp, ui: &mut Ui) {
         });
         ui.add_space(6.0);
     }
+    server_form(app, ui);
+}
+
+/// An AI that "Look for AI" can't find: a server on another computer or a hosted service, added by
+/// its address (#54, #98). The server is asked for its models before it's added.
+fn server_form(app: &mut CraftApp, ui: &mut Ui) {
+    let t = Tokens::get(ui.ctx());
+    ui.add_space(14.0);
+    widgets::caption(ui, "Add an AI by its address");
+    ui.label(RichText::new(tr("Ollama or LM Studio on another computer, or any service that speaks the OpenAI API.")).color(t.text_faint).size(theme::CAPTION));
+    ui.add_space(4.0);
+    let form = &mut app.server_form;
+    // `width` is the text's; the compact frame adds 8 points a side and its border.
+    const FRAME: f32 = 18.0;
+    let field = |ui: &mut Ui, text: &mut String, hint: &str, width: f32, name: &str, secret: bool| {
+        let r = ui.add(egui::TextEdit::singleline(text).password(secret).hint_text(tr(hint)).desired_width(width).frame(widgets::text_field_frame_compact(&t)));
+        widgets::named(r, &tr(name));
+    };
+    ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+        field(ui, &mut form.name, "name, e.g. Studio box", 150.0, "AI name", false);
+        let w = ui.available_width() - FRAME;
+        field(ui, &mut form.address, "address, e.g. http://192.168.1.20:11434/v1", w, "Server address", false);
+    });
+    let ready = !form.name.trim().is_empty() && !form.address.trim().is_empty();
+    let mut add = false;
+    ui.horizontal(|ui| {
+        field(ui, &mut form.model, "model (optional)", 150.0, "Model", false);
+        // Room for the Add button after it.
+        let w = (ui.available_width() - FRAME - 90.0).max(120.0);
+        field(ui, &mut form.key, "API key, if it needs one", w, "API key", true);
+        add = widgets::primary_icon(ui, Some("plus"), "Add", ready).clicked() && ready;
+    });
+    if add {
+        app.add_server();
+    }
 }
 
 /// A number field; true when it changed.

crates/ui-egui/tests/headless_parity.rs

@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@ const ACTIONS: &[Action] = &[
     a("refresh_backends",    "the connected AI brains",                        Cli("ai list")),
     a("detect_backends",     "find AI on this computer",                       Cli("ai detect")),
     a("add_backend",         "connect an AI brain",                            Cli("ai add <name> --kind --model --base-url --ssh-host --key-env --key-stdin")),
+    a("add_server",          "connect an AI server by its address",            Cli("ai add <name> --kind --base-url --key-env --key-stdin")),
     a("choose_backend",      "pick the AI brain",                              Cli("chat <question> --backend")),
     a("set_role",            "choose which AI builds or extracts",             Cli("ai extractor <name>")),
 

crates/ui-egui/tests/smoke.rs

@@ -918,6 +918,37 @@ fn command_palette_opens_and_lists_tools() {
     assert!(!h.state().state.palette.open);
 }
 
+/// #54, #98: an AI server on another computer is added by its address in Settings → AI, with a
+/// model that can chat, and the form empties once it's added.
+#[test]
+fn an_ai_server_is_added_by_its_address() {
+    // A stand-in model server: every request gets the same model list.
+    let listener = std::net::TcpListener::bind(("127.0.0.1", 0)).unwrap();
+    let url = format!("http://{}/v1", listener.local_addr().unwrap());
+    std::thread::spawn(move || {
+        use std::io::{Read, Write};
+        for mut s in listener.incoming().flatten() {
+            let mut buf = [0u8; 4096];
+            let _ = s.read(&mut buf);
+            let body = r#"{"object":"list","data":[{"id":"nomic-embed-text"},{"id":"qwen3:8b"}]}"#;
+            let _ = write!(s, "HTTP/1.1 200 OK\r\nContent-Type: application/json\r\nContent-Length: {}\r\nConnection: close\r\n\r\n{body}", body.len());
+        }
+    });
+    let mut h = harness(|| {
+        let mut a = demo::app(demo::engine(Mode::Experienced, true));
+        a.state.settings_open = true;
+        a.state.settings_tab = craft_anything_ui_egui::state::SettingsTab::Ai;
+        a
+    });
+    h.run_steps(2);
+    h.get_by_label("Add an AI by its address");
+    h.state_mut().server_form = craft_anything_ui_egui::ServerForm { name: "Studio box".into(), address: url.clone(), ..Default::default() };
+    h.run_steps(1);
+    h.get_by_label("Add").click();
+    assert!(wait(&mut h, |a| a.backends.iter().any(|b| b.name == "Studio box" && b.model == "qwen3:8b")), "added with a model that can chat");
+    assert!(h.state().server_form.name.is_empty(), "the form empties once it's added");
+}
+
 /// #53: an agent app installed where it isn't looked for gets its program chosen in Settings → AI,
 /// and goes back to being found by its usual name.
 #[test]