Restrict AI by Zapier to your own AI model provider

Zapier Agents and Knowledge by Zapier have a single setting to route AI inference through your own AI model provider. AI by Zapier does not have an equivalent setting, but you can achieve the same outcome by combining two things: disabling Zapier's built-in AI models, and restricting app access so only your own AI model provider can run inference.

Available on plans:

Free

Professional

Team

Enterprise

Before you begin

• You need an admin, super admin, or owner role in your Zapier account.
• You need an AI model provider already connected. Follow Set up your own AI accounts in Zapier if you have not connected one yet.
• Familiarity with app access policies and managed apps is helpful.

1. Disable built-in Zapier AI models

By default, AI by Zapier can use Zapier's built-in AI models. You must disable them even if you complete the app restriction steps below. Without this step, AI by Zapier can still fall back to Zapier's built-in models when your connected provider is unavailable.

1. Contact Zapier Support and request that built-in Zapier AI models be disabled for AI by Zapier on your account.

Note

After built-in Zapier AI models are disabled, AI by Zapier steps cannot run if your connected AI model provider is unavailable.

2. Restrict apps that AI by Zapier can access

AI by Zapier can use any app connection in your account for inference unless you restrict access. Restrict every app that AI by Zapier can reach except your approved AI model provider.

1. In your Zapier account, go to the Admin Center.
2. In the Governance section in the left sidebar, select App permissions.
3. If your account uses the Allowed apps setting, remove any AI provider apps from your allowed list except your approved AI model provider.
4. If your account uses the Restricted apps setting, add every AI provider app that is not your approved AI model provider to your restricted list.

Learn how to configure app access settings for your Enterprise account to set up your restricted or allowed apps.

3. Mark your AI model provider as a managed app

Marking your AI model provider as a managed app ensures only admins can create or share credentials for it. This prevents members from connecting their own personal AI provider accounts for use in AI by Zapier.

1. In the Admin Center, select App connections.
2. In the Managed apps field, click +Add managed apps.
3. Search for and select your AI model provider app.
4. Click Save changes.
5. Share your managed connection with the members who need to use AI by Zapier.

Limitations

• You must complete all three steps in this tutorial to fully restrict AI by Zapier to your own provider. Disabling built-in Zapier AI models and restricting app access both need to be in place together; neither step alone prevents AI by Zapier from using Zapier-provided inference.
• Only admins, super admins, or the owner of your account can disable built-in Zapier AI models, configure app access settings, or mark apps as managed.
• You can only enable either restricted apps or allowed apps for your account, not both. Review app access policies to select the setting that fits your account.
• If Zapier adds a new AI model provider to AI by Zapier, that provider is not automatically covered by your existing app restrictions. Contact your account team if you need to block a specific new provider.

Next steps

• Learn more about using your own AI accounts in Zapier.
• Review app access policies to keep your app restrictions up to date as your account changes.
• Contact Zapier Support if you need help with your setup.