Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Nexus-CLI lets you use DeepSeek V3 and R1 for free via a local proxy

A new open-source tool called Nexus-CLI turns any free DeepSeek web account into a local API that coding tools like Claude Code, Cursor and Ollama can use.

AIGenerated · Written by AI from the sources listed below · Corrected Oct 21, 2026
A hand holding a smartphone displaying an AI chat interface named DeepSeek, embodying modern technology.
A hand holding a smartphone displaying an AI chat interface named DeepSeek, embodying modern technology. File picturePhoto: Matheus Bertelli / Pexels

A bridge to DeepSeek models

A developer has released an open-source tool called Nexus-CLI that lets anyone connect coding agents and AI applications to DeepSeek V3 and DeepSeek R1 without paying for an official API key 1. The tool works by using a free DeepSeek web account (chat.deepseek.com) instead of a paid API subscription .

Nexus-CLI is written entirely in Go and has no external runtime dependencies 1. It solves the challenge that DeepSeek servers require — a Proof-of-Work puzzle — in about 40 to 50 milliseconds by running calculations across all available CPU cores .

Connects to coding tools

The tool runs a local proxy server that speaks the same formats used by OpenAI, Anthropic and Ollama 1. This means apps like Cursor, Claude Code, Continue.dev, Cline, Open WebUI and AnythingLLM can connect to it directly .

It also emulates the Ollama API, so tools that normally talk to local Ollama models can use DeepSeek through Nexus instead 1. A one-command launcher is included for Claude Code, Codex, Goose, Aider and other coding agents .

How to set it up

Users link their DeepSeek account in one of three ways: pasting a token from their browser's local storage, using an automatic Chrome login tool, or adding the token to a .env file 1. A diagnostic command checks whether the token and connection are working correctly .

If users hit rate limits, Nexus can rotate between multiple DeepSeek accounts using a round-robin system 1. The tool also supports structured JSON output and can stream the reasoning process of the DeepSeek R1 model in real time in the terminal .

The project is hosted on GitHub under the name xamrayev/nexus-cli and requires Go 1.20 or later to build 1.

Why it matters

DeepSeek's R1 and V3 models are among the most capable open reasoning and chat models available, but their official API costs money 1. Nexus-CLI gives developers a way to use those same models at no API cost via a free web account .

Corrections and updates

  • Corrected on 21 October 2026. An earlier version said the models run locally; the source makes clear they are remote DeepSeek services accessed at no API cost through a free web account.

Key facts

  • Nexus-CLI is a pure Go tool that bridges free DeepSeek web accounts to a local API proxy
  • It supports DeepSeek V3 and R1 models and is compatible with OpenAI, Anthropic and Ollama API formats
  • The built-in PoW solver handles DeepSeek's server challenges in 40-50 milliseconds
  • A one-command launcher connects directly to Claude Code, Codex, Goose, Aider and other coding agents
  • Multiple DeepSeek accounts can be rotated to avoid rate limits

Sources

  1. GitHub - xamrayev/nexus-cli

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