Provider Overview
CCS supports 11 providers across 3 authentication methods. This guide helps you choose the right provider for your needs.Provider Categories
OAuth Providers
9 Providers - Zero API keys, browser login onlyPerfect for beginners and quick setup
Claude Accounts
Multiple Subscriptions - Isolated Claude instancesWork/personal separation, concurrent sessions
API Profiles
Direct API Access - Bring your own keysCustom endpoints, self-hosted models
Quick Decision Guide
Choose your path:New to CCS? Start with OAuth
Recommended: Gemini (free tier available)
- No API keys needed
- Free tier available (Gemini 2.5 Pro)
- Auto token refresh
- Multi-account support
Have Claude Pro/Team? Use Claude Accounts
Best for: Multiple Claude subscriptions
- Work/personal isolation
- Concurrent sessions
- Team collaboration
- Existing subscription leverage
Authentication Methods Comparison
Browser OAuth vs Device Code
| Feature | Browser OAuth | Device Code |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Browser opens automatically | Manual URL copy |
| Speed | Instant (3-5 seconds) | Manual (10-20 seconds) |
| Headless Servers | Requires --headless flag | Native support |
| Providers | Gemini, Kiro, Codex, Antigravity | GHCP, Qwen, iFlow |
| Token Refresh | Automatic (proactive) | Automatic (on-demand) |
| Best For | Local development, desktop | CI/CD, remote servers |
All Providers Comparison
OAuth Providers (8 Total)
- Gemini
- Kiro
- GitHub Copilot
- Codex
- Antigravity
- Claude
- Qwen
- iFlow
- MiniMax
Google Gemini - Best for beginners
Full Documentation →
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Models | Gemini 3 Pro (High/Preview), Gemini 2.5 Pro, Gemini 3 Flash |
| Free Tier | ✅ Yes (Gemini 2.5 Pro) |
| Auth Method | Browser OAuth (Google SSO) |
| Multi-Account | ✅ Yes (email-based) |
| Model Picker | ✅ Interactive --config |
| Quota Display | ✅ Auto project rotation |
| Token Refresh | ✅ Proactive (5 min before expiry) |
| Best For | Beginners, free tier users, fast responses |
Claude Accounts
Run multiple Claude subscriptions simultaneously with isolated sessions:| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Setup | ccs auth create <profile> |
| Multi-Account | ✅ Unlimited profiles |
| Concurrent Sessions | ✅ Each profile runs independently |
| Session Isolation | ✅ Complete (credentials, history, state) |
| Subscription | Requires existing Claude Pro/Team |
| Best For | Work/personal separation, team collaboration |
API Profiles
Direct API access with custom endpoints and keys:| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Setup | ccs config → Add API profile |
| Custom Endpoints | ✅ Full control |
| Self-Hosted Models | ✅ Supported |
| API Key Management | Manual (you provide keys) |
| Model Configuration | Provider-dependent |
| Best For | Custom APIs, self-hosted models, advanced users |
Feature Matrix
All Providers Feature Comparison
| Provider | Free Tier | Multi-Account | Model Picker | Quota Display | Token Refresh | Headless Mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Proactive | ✅ |
| Kiro | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Auto | ✅ |
| GHCP | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ Auto | ✅ Device Code |
| Codex | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Auto | ✅ |
| Antigravity | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ Auto | ✅ |
| Claude | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Auto | ✅ |
| Qwen | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Auto | ✅ |
| iFlow | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Auto | ✅ |
| MiniMax | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Manual | ✅ |
| Claude Accounts | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | N/A | N/A |
| API Profiles | Varies | ✅ | Varies | ❌ | Manual | ✅ |
Authentication Features
| Provider | Auth Method | Account ID | Token Import | Browser Control |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gemini | Browser OAuth | ❌ | Incognito default | |
| Kiro | Browser OAuth | Filename | ✅ IDE | Normal (no incognito) |
| GHCP | Browser/Device | GitHub username | ❌ | Incognito default |
| Codex | Browser OAuth | ❌ | Incognito default | |
| Antigravity | Browser OAuth | ❌ | Incognito default | |
| Claude | Browser OAuth | ❌ | Incognito default | |
| Qwen | Browser OAuth | ❌ | Incognito default | |
| iFlow | Browser OAuth | ❌ | Incognito default | |
| MiniMax | API Key | Profile name | ❌ | N/A |
| Claude Accounts | OAuth (Claude) | Profile name | ❌ | N/A |
| API Profiles | API Key | Profile name | ❌ | N/A |
Provider Selection Guide
By Use Case
Beginner (First Time)
→ Gemini (free tier)
- No API keys needed
- Free tier available
- Easy setup (browser only)
- Good documentation
Work/Personal Separation
→ Claude Accounts
- Isolated sessions
- Concurrent use
- Separate subscriptions
- Professional workflow
CI/CD Pipeline
→ GHCP (device code)
- Headless-friendly
- No browser needed
- Scriptable auth
- Quota management
Free Tier Only
→ Gemini or Kiro
- Gemini: 2.5 Pro (Google free)
- Kiro: CodeWhisperer (AWS Builder ID)
Premium Models
→ Antigravity
- Claude Opus 4.5 Thinking
- Claude Sonnet 4.5
- Gemini 3 Pro
- Interactive model picker
Long-Context Tasks
→ MiniMax
- 1M token context window
- Large codebase analysis
- Document processing
- API key authentication
Self-Hosted Models
→ API Profiles
- Custom endpoints
- Local LLMs
- Full control
- Privacy-focused
AWS Ecosystem
→ Kiro
- CodeWhisperer integration
- AWS SSO support
- IDE token import
- Free Builder ID
ChatGPT Plus User
→ Codex
- Leverage existing subscription
- GPT-5.1-codex-max
- OpenAI ecosystem
By Authentication Preference
Prefer Browser OAuth?- Gemini, Kiro, GHCP, Codex, Antigravity, Qwen, iFlow
- GHCP (with
--device-codeflag)
- API Profiles
- Claude Accounts (uses Claude CLI’s built-in OAuth)
By Cost Model
Free Tier Available:- Gemini - Gemini 2.5 Pro (free Google account)
- Kiro - CodeWhisperer (AWS Builder ID)
- Gemini 3 Pro - Paid Google account
- GHCP - GitHub Copilot subscription
- Codex - ChatGPT Plus
- Antigravity - Subscription
- Claude - Anthropic subscription
- Qwen - Subscription
- iFlow - Subscription
- Claude Accounts - Claude Pro/Team
- API Profiles - You manage costs
Multi-Account Management
All OAuth providers support multiple accounts:- Email-Based (Most Providers)
- Username-Based (GHCP)
- Filename-Based (Kiro)
- Profile-Based (Claude)
Gemini, Codex, Antigravity, Qwen, iFlowAccount ID: Email prefix (
john@gmail.com → john)Storage Locations
All providers store data in~/.ccs/:
Common Commands (All Providers)
Authentication
Account Management
Execution
Configuration
Provider-Specific Features
Gemini Unique Features
- ✅ Proactive token refresh (5 min before expiry)
- ✅ Auto project rotation on quota exceeded
- ✅ Interactive model picker (4 models)
- ✅ Free tier (Gemini 2.5 Pro)
Kiro Unique Features
- ✅ Token import from Kiro IDE (
--import) - ✅ Browser mode control (
--no-incognito) - ✅ AWS SSO integration
- ✅ Free tier (Builder ID)
GHCP Unique Features
- ✅ Dual auth modes (OAuth + Device Code)
- ✅ Quota display (
--quota) - ✅ Device code for headless servers
- ✅ GitHub integration
Antigravity Unique Features
- ✅ Multi-model access (Claude + Gemini)
- ✅ Claude Opus 4.5 Thinking
- ✅ Interactive model picker
Claude Accounts Unique Features
- ✅ Concurrent sessions (different profiles)
- ✅ Complete session isolation
- ✅ Unlimited profiles
- ✅ Work/personal separation
Next Steps
Gemini Provider
Free tier, proactive refresh, 4 models
Kiro Provider
AWS CodeWhisperer, IDE import, free tier
GHCP Provider
Dual auth, device code, quota display
Codex Provider
ChatGPT Plus, GPT-5.1-codex-max
Antigravity Provider
Claude Opus 4.5, multi-model picker
Claude Provider
Direct Anthropic OAuth access
Qwen Provider
Specialized coding model
iFlow Provider
Various models available
MiniMax Provider
1M context window, long-context tasks
Claude Accounts
Multiple subscriptions, concurrent sessions
API Profiles
Custom endpoints, self-hosted models
FAQ
Can I use multiple providers simultaneously?
Can I use multiple providers simultaneously?
Yes! Each provider runs isolated sessions:
Which provider is best for beginners?
Which provider is best for beginners?
Gemini - Free tier available, easy setup, no API keys needed:
Can I switch between accounts without re-authenticating?
Can I switch between accounts without re-authenticating?
Yes! All OAuth providers support multi-account with instant switching:
Which providers work without a browser (CI/CD)?
Which providers work without a browser (CI/CD)?
- GHCP - Device code flow (
--device-code) - All OAuth Providers - Headless mode (
--headless, copy URL manually) - API Profiles - No browser needed (API keys only)
Can I use the same account across multiple machines?
Can I use the same account across multiple machines?
Yes for OAuth providers - tokens sync automatically if you:
- Copy
~/.ccs/cliproxy/auth/to new machine - Re-authenticate on new machine (tokens specific to each machine)
Which providers support concurrent sessions?
Which providers support concurrent sessions?
- Different providers: Always concurrent (isolated)
- Same provider, different accounts: Concurrent (if supported by backend)
- Claude Accounts: Concurrent (different profiles)
- Same provider, same account: Not recommended (session conflicts)
