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Ultimate Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Adding Your OpenAI API Key
Ultimate Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Adding Your OpenAI API Key
Promptitude Team avatar
Written by Promptitude Team
Updated this week

In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know before adding your OpenAI API Key. We'll cover how to create an OpenAI account, verify it, set up billing, and generate a new API key. We'll also touch on the ChatGPT Plus subscription plan and what it entails. Let's dive in!

1️⃣ Difference between ChatGPT Plus and OpenAI API access.

ChatGPT Plus is a subscription plan that costs $20/month. It provides you with general access to ChatGPT. However, this subscription plan only covers usage on their limited web interface chat.openai.com and does NOT include access to the OpenAI API.

2️⃣ Create an OpenAI account (If you don't have a current account)

If you've signed up for ChatGPT in the past, log in using the same email address and password at https://platform.openai.com.

If you don't have an account yet, follow these steps:

  1. Fill in your information, including your email address and password.

  2. Accept the conditions by clicking on "Agree" and you are done!

NOTE: In order to verify your account and create your API Key, you will need to validate your phone number and email address. OpenAI takes security very seriously and this helps protect your account.

📌 Setting Up Billing

Setting up and managing your OpenAI billing doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these steps and tips, you can ensure a smooth experience as you explore the exciting capabilities of AI in your business.

  • Navigate to the Billing Section:

→ Once logged in, find the navigation menu and click on the ‘Billing’ option. This will take you to the billing dashboard.

  • Select the Prepaid Tab:

→ In the billing dashboard, you will see different tabs related to various billing options. Click on the ‘Prepaid’ tab to proceed.

  • Add Funds:

→ You can add funds to your account by entering the amount you wish to preload. This amount will be used to pay for any API usage or other services.

→ Enter your payment details. Most major credit cards and PayPal accounts are accepted.

  • Confirm the Transaction:

→ Review your payment details and the amount to be added. Confirm the transaction by clicking on the ‘Add Funds’ button.

By preloading funds into your account, you can better manage your budget and avoid unexpected charges. Your account will only use the balance available, and you can add more funds as needed.

3️⃣ Generating a New API Key

Now that you've set up billing, it's time to generate a new API key.

  1. Log into your OpenAI account.

  2. Click on the icon with your account name in the top right corner of your screen.

  3. Click View API keys from the dropdown menu.

  4. Click Create new secret key to generate a new API key.

  5. Name your secret API key. It's a good idea to have different keys for different apps and sites, so make sure you name it something that will help you remember what it's for.

  6. Click Create secret key.

Next, you will see your secret key that has been generated. Make sure to copy your secret key and paste it into whatever application you need it for. It's very important that you copy this key and save it somewhere secure, as you won't be able to retrieve it again for security reasons. You'll need this key to authenticate your applications with OpenAI's services.

Note: Don't use the abbreviated API Key in Promptitude.
If the API Key doesn’t have the general structure or seems to be incomplete, you may need to generate a new one to copy and paste into Promptitude.

And there you have it! You're now equipped with all the knowledge you need to add your OpenAI API Key.

Remember, having an OpenAI API key unlocks a wide range of powerful capabilities, from access to advanced AI models to the development of intelligent applications. So, keep your API key secure and enjoy the power of AI at your fingertips!

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