Guide · 5 minutes
How to connect your own AI API key
CreatLab's agents run on your own API key from OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude) or Google (Gemini). Here's how to create one and connect it.
Before you start
An API key is different from a chat subscription: ChatGPT Plus or Claude Pro don't include API access. API use is billed by your provider per token, usually after you add a payment method or prepaid credit in their console.
1. Create the key at your provider
OpenAI
Sign in at platform.openai.com, open API keys and choose Create new secret key. Add billing details if your account has none yet.
Anthropic (Claude)
Sign in to the Claude Console at platform.claude.com, open API keys (Settings → API keys) and choose Create key. The key starts with sk-ant- and is shown only once.
Google (Gemini)
Open Google AI Studio at aistudio.google.com and choose Get API key. Note that on Google's free tier, Google may use your prompts to improve its products; CreatLab shows this notice when you set it up.
Copy the key right away; most providers show it only once.
2. Connect it to CreatLab
Open the AI setup
After creating your account, CreatLab asks which AI your workspace should use. For an existing workspace, go to Settings.
Choose the provider and paste the key
Pick OpenAI, Claude or Gemini, paste the key and save.
CreatLab checks it
A free check with your provider confirms the key works. Only then is it stored, encrypted. If the check fails, nothing is saved and you'll see why.
3. Keep costs in check
- Set a monthly spending limit in your provider's console.
- Watch the Usage page in CreatLab: tokens per day and per model.
- Use Saver mode for agents that do simple, frequent work.