Keep coding going when subscription limits and token costs interrupt your workflow
9Router is a local relay that bundles multiple AI providers into a single address. It automatically switches to cheaper models when subscription limits are reached and to free models if those are insufficient, allowing you to continue coding without interruption from sudden stops or rising API costs.
Three ways to reduce request size
The tool reduces the number of tokens sent with each request, not just by switching models. The RTK feature compresses output from tools like git diff and grep to save 20–40% of tokens per request, preserving the original if compression fails to prevent broken requests. Caveman mode injects a prompt that encourages concise answers, reducing output tokens by up to 65%, while Ponytail minimizes unnecessary abstraction to encourage minimal code. You can toggle these three features individually in the dashboard.
Automatic switching from subscriptions to free tiers
Requests are processed in three tiers: subscription-based, low-cost, and free. When the limit of the first tier is exhausted, the system automatically moves to the low-cost API in the second tier, and if the budget is exceeded, it shifts to the free credits in the third tier. The dashboard displays the remaining tokens and reset times for each provider in real time, helping you maximize the value of your subscriptions. It also automatically converts API requests between different formats, such as OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini, ensuring compatibility with any CLI tool.
Installation and initial setup
Installation is completed with the npm install -g 9router command, after which the dashboard opens at http://localhost:20128. Connect free providers like Kiro AI or OpenCode Free in the dashboard, then enter the generated API key and endpoint address into the settings of your existing coding tools, such as Claude Code or Cursor. This process takes only a few minutes and allows you to apply free AI models to your coding environment immediately without complex configuration.
The actual scope of free credits
Although the tool emphasizes being 'free,' it operates only within the free tier limits of each provider. Kiro AI offers 50 credits per month, and Vertex AI provides $300 in credits for new accounts, but these are limited amounts. As of 2026, the free tiers for iFlow, Qwen Code, and Gemini CLI have been discontinued, so you should configure the system primarily around Kiro, OpenCode Free, and Vertex AI. Note that the costs displayed in the dashboard are not actual charges but indicators showing the savings compared to the estimated cost of using paid APIs.