Guide
Get your API keys
Five minutes, once and for all. Updated June 10, 2026.
01The basics
OpenTahr tools work with your own API keys. Your browser talks straight to the AI provider, with nobody in between. You pay the provider's real price and nothing more.
- A key is free to create. You then pay for what you use, often a few cents per task.
- With OpenTahr, the key stays in your browser and is never sent to our servers.
- The first habit to adopt is to set a spending cap with the provider as soon as you create the key. €5 to €10 a month is plenty to try things out.
02OpenRouter, the easiest way to start
A single OpenRouter key gives you more than 340 models (Claude, GPT, Gemini, DeepSeek, Mistral and more), including free models you can try without spending a cent. It is the ideal key for Expert Chat, which can make several different models debate.
- Create an account on openrouter.ai with your email or Google.
- Open openrouter.ai/keys and click Create Key. Give it a name (for example opentahr) and, if offered, a credit limit.
- Copy the key, which starts with
sk-or-. It will not be shown again. - Optional but recommended, add a few dollars of credit (Credits menu) to reach the paid models. Models marked
:freework without credit. - Paste the key in your workshop under Settings → API keys and click Test and save.
03Other providers, direct
You can also connect each provider directly. The steps are the same everywhere. Create an account, open the keys page, create a key, copy it right away and paste it into the workshop.
| Provider | Where to create the key | Format |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI (GPT) | platform.openai.com/api-keys | sk-… |
| Anthropic (Claude) | console.anthropic.com | sk-ant-… |
| Google Gemini | aistudio.google.com/apikey | AIza… |
| DeepSeek | platform.deepseek.com | sk-… |
| Mistral | console.mistral.ai | free format |
| Groq | console.groq.com/keys | gsk_… |
Most providers ask for a payment method before serving their latest models, and some offer trial credits or free tiers. The terms change often, so check the provider's pricing page before you start.
04Good habits
- One key per use. Create an opentahr key separate from your other projects. If you have a doubt, you can revoke it without breaking anything else.
- A spending cap. Set a monthly limit in the provider's console (billing limits). It is the best safety net there is.
- Never shared. A key belongs in two places only, the provider's console and your workshop. Nobody legitimate will ask you for it by email, and that includes OpenTahr.
- Revocable at any time. If a key gets exposed by mistake, delete it in the provider's console and create a new one. It takes two minutes.
- On your device. If you clear your browser data, the key disappears from OpenTahr, so make sure you can create a new one from the console.
05Common questions
Does an API key cost money?
The key itself is free. You then pay the provider for your real usage, often a few cents per task. OpenTahr adds no margin, since your calls go straight from your browser to the provider.
Which key should I start with?
OpenRouter, without hesitation. One key gives you more than 340 models, with free models to try.
Where is my key stored?
Only in your browser (localStorage). It is sent only to the provider it belongs to, never to our servers. See how it works.
How do I avoid a bad surprise on the bill?
Set a spending cap when you create the key, use a dedicated key and keep an eye on the provider's usage dashboard. OpenTahr tools also show reasonable daily quotas.