Install and configure Vast.ai SDK/CLI authentication. Use when setting up a new Vast.ai integration, configuring API keys, or initializing Vast.ai in your project. Trigger with phrases like "install vastai", "setup vastai", "vastai auth", "configure vastai API key".
npxskills add jeremylongshore/claude-code-plugins-plus-skills--skill vastai-install-authLoading…
Set up the Vast.ai CLI and REST API access for renting GPU compute instances. Vast.ai is a marketplace where individual hosts and data centers list GPU machines at prices significantly below hyperscaler providers.
set -euo pipefail
pip install vastai
vastai --version
# Save API key to ~/.vast_api_key
vastai set api-key YOUR_API_KEY_HERE
# Verify authentication
vastai show user
For programmatic use, set the environment variable:
export VASTAI_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
echo 'VASTAI_API_KEY=your-api-key' >> .env
# Direct REST API call — base URL is cloud.vast.ai/api/v0
curl -s -H "Authorization: Bearer $VASTAI_API_KEY" \
"https://cloud.vast.ai/api/v0/users/current" | jq '{id, username, balance}'
# vastai_client.py
import os
import requests
from typing import Optional, Dict, Any, List
class VastClient:
BASE_URL = "https://cloud.vast.ai/api/v0"
def __init__(self, api_key: Optional[str] = None):
self.api_key = api_key or os.environ.get("VASTAI_API_KEY")
if not self.api_key:
# Fall back to ~/.vast_api_key
key_file = os.path.expanduser("~/.vast_api_key")
if os.path.exists(key_file):
self.api_key = open(key_file).read().strip()
if not self.api_key:
raise ValueError("No API key found. Run: vastai set api-key YOUR_KEY")
self.session = requests.Session()
self.session.headers.update({
"Authorization": f"Bearer {self.api_key}",
"Accept": "application/json",
})
def _request(self, method: str, endpoint: str, **kwargs) -> Dict[str, Any]:
url = f"{self.BASE_URL}{endpoint}"
resp = self.session.request(method, url, **kwargs)
resp.raise_for_status()
return resp.json()
def search_offers(self, query: Dict[str, Any]) -> List[Dict]:
return self._request("GET", "/bundles/", params={"q": str(query)})
def create_instance(self, offer_id: int, image: str, disk_gb: float = 20,
onstart: str = "", env: Dict = None) -> Dict:
body = {"client_id": "me", "image": image, "disk": disk_gb,
"onstart": onstart, "env": env or {}}
return self._request("PUT", f"/asks/{offer_id}/", json=body)
def show_instances(self) -> List[Dict]:
return self._request("GET", "/instances/")["instances"]
def destroy_instance(self, instance_id: int) -> Dict:
return self._request("DELETE", f"/instances/{instance_id}/")
# Quick verification
if __name__ == "__main__":
client = VastClient()
user = client._request("GET", "/users/current")
print(f"Authenticated as: {user['username']}")
print(f"Balance: ${user.get('balance', 0):.2f}")
# CLI verification
vastai show user
vastai search offers 'num_gpus=1 gpu_name=RTX_4090' --limit 3
# Python verification
python vastai_client.py
vastai CLI installed and authenticated~/.vast_api_key and/or environment variable| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
Invalid API key | Wrong or expired key | Regenerate at cloud.vast.ai/cli/ |
403 Forbidden | Insufficient balance | Add credits at cloud.vast.ai |
Connection refused | Firewall blocking HTTPS | Allow outbound 443 to cloud.vast.ai |
Module not found: vastai | pip install failed | Run pip install --upgrade vastai |
~/.vast_api_key not found | CLI not configured | Run vastai set api-key YOUR_KEY |
After successful auth, proceed to vastai-hello-world for your first GPU instance rental.
Quick CLI test: Run vastai search offers 'reliability > 0.99 num_gpus=1' --order 'dph_total' to find the cheapest reliable single-GPU offers. Verify your key works before writing any code.
REST API test: Use curl with your Bearer token to hit cloud.vast.ai/api/v0/users/current and confirm your username and balance are returned correctly.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Create or update AgentSkills. Use when designing, structuring, or packaging skills with scripts, references, and assets.
Set up and use 1Password CLI (op). Use when installing the CLI, enabling desktop app integration, signing in (single or multi-account), or reading/injecting/running secrets via op.
CLI to manage emails via IMAP/SMTP. Use `himalaya` to list, read, write, reply, forward, search, and organize emails from the terminal. Supports multiple accounts and message composition with MML (MIME Meta Language).