Guides

Practical answers for using AI with your own key: where to get one, what it costs, what is free, and how to keep it safe.

• What is BYOK in AI?Bring your own key, explained: how it works, what it costs and how to keep your key safe.
• Cursor BYOK: using your own API key in CursorHow to add your own OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Azure or Bedrock key in Cursor, what uses the key and what doesn't, the privacy trade-off, and coding tools with full BYOK.
• Free AI API keys: what is actually free in 2026Which AI APIs you can use for free in 2026 (Gemini free tier, OpenRouter free models, Groq, local models), their limits and catches, and what to avoid.
• How to get a Claude API keyCreate an Anthropic Claude API key in the Claude Console, add credits, keep spending under control, and use the key in apps that accept your own key.
• How to get a DeepSeek API keyCreate a DeepSeek API key, top up your balance, use off-peak pricing, and connect the key to apps through DeepSeek's OpenAI- and Anthropic-compatible API.
• How to get a Gemini API keyCreate a Google Gemini API key in Google AI Studio, understand the free tier and its data terms, move to paid when you need to, and use the key in BYOK apps.
• How to get an OpenAI API keyCreate an OpenAI API key on the OpenAI Platform, add billing, set spend alerts and hard limits, and use the key in apps that accept your own ChatGPT/OpenAI key.
• How to get an OpenRouter API keyCreate an OpenRouter API key, buy credits, cap spending per key, use free models, and attach your own provider keys through OpenRouter's BYOK option.
• Local LLM apps: GUIs and clients for Ollama and LM StudioRun AI models on your own computer with Ollama or LM Studio and connect them to chat apps, coding agents and note tools. Setup, hardware needs, and apps that support local models.