OX ALPHA · THE “NIU LAI” MODEL
Ox Alpha: The Viral “Niu Lai” AI Model
It is not a film character. But its name, free access and unusually long context window gave Chinese internet users an irresistible reason to connect it with the Niu Lai meme. Here is what the model actually is.
Current status
Updated · 2026-08-21Pricing and availability can change. This page reflects the status shown on the update date.
WHY IT WENT VIRAL
Why call it the “Niu Lai” model?
Ox means a cow or bull. When Ox Alpha appeared while the Niu Lai meme was circulating, Chinese users naturally joined the two ideas and turned “Niu Lai model” into a memorable nickname.
The nickname is an internet joke, not the model's official name. It does not imply a product, ownership or copyright relationship with the Niu Lai film or this site's yellow-cow character.
OX IS COMING
When the ox literally arrives.
A snowy battlefield, a black bull banner and a yellow cow charging forward turn the word “Ox” into a literal Niu Lai moment. That contrast explains why the nickname travels so well: the technical numbers are enormous, while the joke is instantly readable.
WHAT IT CAN HANDLE
A million-token context is more than a longer chat.
Long-horizon coding
It can hold extensive code context for cross-file changes, debugging, refactoring and broader software-engineering work.
Multimodal understanding
It accepts text, images and video, then returns text analysis or results.
Agentic workflows
Tool calling, structured output and reasoning controls support tasks that need several connected actions.
Complex reasoning
Its stated focus includes complex analysis and sustained production work, though results still depend on the task, prompt and integration.
MODEL FILE
The 1M window gets attention. The interface determines what you can build.
Ox Alpha uses the model ID stealth/ox-alpha. It accepts text, image and video input and returns text, while exposing tool and reasoning controls designed for more engineered workflows.
- Model ID
- stealth/ox-alpha
- Input and output
- Text / image / video → text
- Tool calling
- tools and tool_choice
- Reasoning controls
- reasoning, reasoning_effort, include_reasoning
- Structured output
- response_format can constrain JSON output
- Sampling
- temperature, top_p and top_k
Where it fits best
- Reading large repositories for cross-file refactors, migrations, debugging and regression review.
- Sustaining longer agent loops that plan, call tools, inspect results and revise the work.
- Combining interface screenshots or video with code in a single visual-engineering task.
- Connecting automation through tool calls and JSON-shaped responses.
Do not let the large numbers mislead you
A 1M-token window does not guarantee perfect recall of every detail, and a 131K maximum output does not mean every answer should be that long. JSON output is not the same as strict JSON Schema enforcement. Real projects should still divide work, constrain permissions, validate outputs and keep a fallback path.
THE STEALTH PART
The model has a name. Its developer does not.
Ox Alpha remains a stealth model. The third-party team developing and operating it has chosen to stay anonymous during the preview, so there is not enough confirmed information to name a company.
OpenRouter provides access and routing, but it is not the model's developer, owner or operator. Online guesses about the maker or its ranking should not be treated as established facts.
QUICK ANSWERS
Straight answers about Ox Alpha
Is Ox Alpha free?
Yes. As of August 21, 2026, both input and output tokens are priced at zero. That may change after the preview.
Who developed Ox Alpha?
It is not currently known. The team developing and operating the model remains anonymous during the preview.
Does it accept images and video?
Yes. It accepts text, images and video, and returns text.
How large is its context window?
The context window is 1,048,576 tokens, with a maximum output of 131,072 tokens.
Is it good for coding?
Coding, sustained software engineering and agentic work are explicit parts of its positioning. Performance should still be tested against your actual tasks.
Is it connected to the Niu Lai film?
No official connection exists. The nickname comes from the meaning of “ox” and a Chinese internet meme.