# Source: https://docs.pipecat.ai/server/services/llm/qwen.md

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.pipecat.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Qwen

> LLM service implementation using Alibaba Cloud's Qwen models through an OpenAI-compatible interface

## Overview

`QwenLLMService` provides access to Alibaba Cloud's Qwen language models through an OpenAI-compatible interface. It inherits from `OpenAILLMService` and supports streaming responses, function calling, and context management, with particularly strong capabilities for Chinese language processing.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Qwen LLM API Reference" icon="code" href="https://reference-server.pipecat.ai/en/latest/api/pipecat.services.qwen.llm.html">
    Pipecat's API methods for Qwen integration
  </Card>

  <Card title="Example Implementation" icon="play" href="https://github.com/pipecat-ai/pipecat/blob/main/examples/foundational/14q-function-calling-qwen.py">
    Complete example with function calling
  </Card>

  <Card title="Qwen Documentation" icon="book" href="https://www.alibabacloud.com/help/en/model-studio/use-qwen-by-calling-api">
    Official Qwen API documentation and features
  </Card>

  <Card title="Alibaba Cloud Console" icon="microphone" href="https://www.alibabacloud.com/">
    Access Qwen models and manage API keys
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Installation

To use Qwen services, install the required dependencies:

```bash  theme={null}
pip install "pipecat-ai[qwen]"
```

## Prerequisites

### Qwen Account Setup

Before using Qwen LLM services, you need:

1. **Alibaba Cloud Account**: Sign up at [Alibaba Cloud](https://www.alibabacloud.com/)
2. **API Key**: Generate an API key from your Model Studio dashboard
3. **Model Selection**: Choose from available Qwen models with multilingual capabilities

### Required Environment Variables

* `QWEN_API_KEY`: Your Qwen API key for authentication