---
title: LM Studio
description: Connect LM Studio to SurfSense
---

# Connect LM Studio

Connect to your LM Studio local server. Add it from
**Search Space Settings > Models**.

## Base URL

LM Studio uses an OpenAI compatible server.

### SurfSense Runs in Docker

Use this when SurfSense is running from Docker and LM Studio is running on your computer.

```text
http://host.docker.internal:1234/v1
```

<Callout type="info">
This is the default in SurfSense.
</Callout>

### SurfSense Runs Without Docker

Use this when SurfSense and LM Studio both run directly on the same computer.

```text
http://localhost:1234/v1
```

### LM Studio Runs on Another Computer

Use this when LM Studio is running on another machine in your network.

```text
http://<host>:1234/v1
```

Replace `<host>` with the LAN IP or domain for that machine.

## LM Studio Setup

1. Open LM Studio.
2. Load a model.
3. Start the local server.
4. Confirm the server listens on port `1234`.

## Add the Connection

1. Open Search Space Settings.
2. Go to Models.
3. Select LM Studio.
4. Set API Base URL.
5. Leave API Key empty unless your server requires one.
6. Select the models you want to enable.
7. Save the connection.

SurfSense discovers models from `/v1/models`. If you enter the URL without `/v1`, SurfSense adds it for requests.

## Verify

From the host:

```bash
curl http://localhost:1234/v1/models
```

From the SurfSense backend container:

```bash
docker compose exec backend curl http://host.docker.internal:1234/v1/models
```

## Troubleshooting

### Connection refused

LM Studio is not reachable from the backend.

Start the LM Studio server and confirm that port `1234` is open.

### No models found

Load a model in LM Studio, then refresh model discovery in SurfSense.

### Endpoint returned 404

Use an OpenAI compatible server URL. The models endpoint must be available at `/v1/models`.
