How to Connect Your Own AI Server to Writers Studio

Writers Studio can connect directly to an AI server you manage. This is useful when you want to choose the hardware, model, and network path used for your manuscript-aware AI work.

The server must provide three standard OpenAI-compatible capabilities: model discovery, Chat Completions, and streamed responses. Writers Studio uses those capabilities to list your available models and show replies as they arrive.

1. Start and Check Your Server

Start the server and load a chat model before opening Writers Studio. Confirm that it can list models and accept Chat Completions requests.

For a server on the same Mac, use a base URL such as http://localhost:1234. For a server elsewhere on your private network, use its private address, such as http://192.168.1.20:8080. Writers Studio adds the API version path for you.

Do not expose an unauthenticated server to the public internet. Writers Studio accepts plain HTTP only for localhost and private-network addresses. A public endpoint must use HTTPS.

2. Add the Server in Writers Studio

Open AI settings and choose OpenAI-Compatible Local Server. Enter the base URL and an optional API key if your server requires one. Select Apply & Test Connection.

When the test succeeds, Writers Studio discovers the models from your server. Choose the model you want and return to the AI panel.

3. Connect from iPhone or iPad

Self-hosted AI is opt-in on iPhone and iPad. Enable the Advanced Self-hosted option in AI settings, then enter a server address that the device can reach on your trusted private network.

localhost on an iPhone or iPad means that device itself, not your Mac or another computer. Use the private-network address of the machine running the server instead. Allow local-network access when prompted.

4. Know What Happens to Your Request

Self-hosted requests go directly from Writers Studio to the server you selected. They do not pass through Writers Studio's cloud proxy, and they do not consume Mac App Store hosted-AI allowances or subscriptions.

That also means the server operator's privacy and retention practices apply. Keep your server and network under controls you trust.

If no models appear, the connection fails, or replies do not stream, review the full setup and troubleshooting guide. For the release overview, read what's new in Writers Studio v1.6.