INSTANT BI : LLM API Configuration

With version 7.0, Open source BI Helical Insight has introduced AI powered analytics allowing non technical business users also to create their own adhoc analysis with very simple English language.

Helical Insight is providing an option to bring your own LLM. Hence you can configure any LLM API key. So far we have tested and it runs fine with OpenAI, Anthropic, or Gemini etc.— you just point it at the provider you want by editing one file, llm_config.yaml. This guide covers everything you need to get that file set up correctly.

Before You Start

  • An active API key from your chosen provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, or Gemini..etc).
  • Access to the Helical Insight server(or)Local Folder.
  • Your Helical Insight application URL, including the port number.

1. Find the Configuration File

The file lives here inside your Helical Insight installation:

helicalinsight-ee-7.0.0.48SNAPSHOT/
└── instantbi/
    └── helicalbi/
        └── helicalbi/
            └── config/
                └── llm_config.yaml

Open llm_config.yaml in any text editor.

2. Know the Three Fields You Need to Set

The file has three things worth your attention — everything else can be left as-is unless you have a reason to change it.

Field Description
default_provider which provider Helical Insight will actually use: openai, anthropic, or gemini.
base_url the full URL of your Helical Insight Enterprise app, port included (e.g. http://localhost:8080/hi-ee). Update localhost and the port if your server runs elsewhere.
api_key the API key for whichever provider you set as default. Add it only under that provider’s block.

3. Example Configurations

Here’s what a complete, working setup looks like for each provider.

OpenAI

default_provider: openai

base_url: http://localhost:8080/hi-ee

providers:

openai:

model: gpt-5.4-mini

temperature: 0.1

max_tokens: 1000

api_key: sk-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Anthropic

default_provider: anthropic

base_url: http://localhost:8080/hi-ee

providers:

anthropic:

model: claude-opus-4-6

temperature: 0.3

max_tokens: 1500

api_key: sk-ant-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Gemini

default_provider: gemini

base_url: http://localhost:8080/hi-ee

providers:

gemini:

model: gemini-2.5-flash

temperature: 0.3

max_tokens: 1500

api_key: AIzaSyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

4. Save and Restart

llm_config.yaml.

Restart the Helical Insight server, for the changes to take effect.

Good to Know

  • Only the provider named in default_provider is used — the other blocks are ignored, even if they’re filled in.
  • Double-check that your api_key is valid and active before restarting.
  • base_url must point to your running instance, including the correct port.
  • Never commit API keys to version control — keep them out of shared repos entirely.

Need Help?

Feel free to reach out on support@helicalinsight.com in case of any more questions.

Contact Support

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