01What Is Tencent Hanyuan HY3?

Tencent Hanyuan HY3 is a free, open-source AI model from China. It has 295 billion parameters and uses a mixture-of-experts design. This means it can handle complex tasks like coding, reasoning, and long-context work.

Because it is open source, you can host it locally if you have the right hardware. If not, you can run it for free through two different methods. The model is designed for agentic capabilities, which means it can act independently to complete tasks.

It is available on Hugging Face, confirming its open-source status. This makes it accessible to developers and creators who want to experiment without paying for API access.

02Key Features of Tencent Hanyuan HY3

Here are the main features that make HY3 stand out:

  • Free API access for two weeks via OpenRouter and Noose Portal.
  • Open-source model, so you can download and host it locally.
  • Agentic design for reasoning and long-context tasks.
  • Competitive benchmarks, outperforming DeepSeek and Qwen 3.7 Max on some tests.
  • Integration with tools like Hermes, agent operating systems, and free cloud code platforms.

The model is built for tasks that require many tokens but not necessarily frontier-level intelligence. This makes it a cost-effective choice for sub-agents or auxiliary tasks.

03How to Get Started with Tencent Hanyuan HY3

Getting started with HY3 is straightforward. Follow these steps:

  1. Go to OpenRouter to get a free API key for HY3.
  2. Plug the API key into your preferred agent operating system, like the one shown in the episode.
  3. Alternatively, access HY3 on Noose Portal for free for two weeks.
  4. Use the API in tools like Hermes Astros, Hermes Oracle, or free cloud code platforms like Codex.
  5. Start with simple tasks like building a landing page or generating a video.

If you want to host it locally, ensure your setup can handle a 295B parameter model. This may require significant computational resources.

04How to Use Tencent Hanyuan HY3 for Coding and Video

In the episode, Julian demonstrated several uses for HY3. You can code a beautiful landing page by prompting the model inside an agent operating system. It will generate the code, and you can preview it in real time.

For video creation, Julian gave HY3 access to ReMotion, a tool that creates videos. The model used context from the conversation to produce a fully animated video without any extra prompting or training. This was one of the most impressive tests.

You can also use HY3 for delegating smaller, heavier tasks that require a lot of tokens but not frontier-level intelligence. For example, you could set it as a sub-agent for auxiliary tasks in your workflow.

Another option is to plug the API into free cloud code platforms like Codex. This lets you leverage HY3 for coding without paying for a subscription.

05Results and Comparisons from the Episode

Julian tested HY3 against several models, including GLM 5.2, Opus 4.8, and Fable 5. Here are the results:

  • Vs. GLM 5.2: HY3 was better in some game creations, like a Doom-style game, but GLM 5.2 was better in others, like Dragon Realm and Neon City.
  • Vs. Opus 4.8: HY3 was not as good, especially in a parachute game test.
  • Vs. Fable 5: Fable 5 was the best, crushing HY3 in most tests.

On benchmarks, HY3 outperformed DeepSeek and Qwen 3.7 Max. However, in practical tests, it lagged behind frontier models like Opus 4.8 and Fable 5.

For video creation, HY3 performed exceptionally well, producing a full animated video that Julian said his editors would struggle to match. This was a standout moment.

06Tips, Limits, and Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some tips and warnings from the episode:

  • Take advantage of the free API before July 21st—it only lasts two weeks.
  • Don't expect HY3 to replace frontier models like Opus 4.8 or Fable 5. It struggles with complex physics and graphics.
  • Use HY3 for sub-agents and auxiliary tasks, not for tasks requiring top-tier intelligence.
  • Be careful with game creation—controls can be weird, and physics may be buggy.
  • Test it yourself to see if it suits your needs.

Avoid comparing HY3 to frontier models in a way that sets unrealistic expectations. It's a free, open-source model, which is a significant advantage, but it's not a replacement for paid models.

07Who Should Use Tencent Hanyuan HY3?

Tencent Hanyuan HY3 is ideal for developers and creators who want a free, open-source AI model for coding and agentic tasks. If you're on a budget, this can be a great way to experiment without paying for API access.

It's also useful for those who need to handle many tokens for auxiliary tasks but don't require frontier-level intelligence. This can save money while still getting the job done.

The model is part of a broader trend of open-source AI from China, including Kimi K2.7 and GLM 5.2. If you're interested in the open-source ecosystem, HY3 is worth testing.

Ultimately, it matters because it shows how fast open-source AI is advancing. Even if it's not the best, it's a valuable tool for learning and building.