How to Create and Use Your Own OpenAI API Keys on Our Platform

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To ensure the highest level of security and flexibility, our platform requires customers to generate and use their own API keys when integrating with OpenAI's services. This guide will walk you through the current process of creating an API key from OpenAI, which you will need to connect with our platform.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

• A valid email address for account verification
• A payment method (required for API usage beyond free trial credits)
• Basic understanding of API security practices

Step 1: Sign Up or Log In to OpenAI

1. Visit OpenAI's Platform: Go to platform.openai.com
2. Sign Up or Log In:
   • If you already have an OpenAI account, simply log in with your credentials
   • If you do not have an account, click on Sign Up and follow the prompts to create one
   • Complete email verification if prompted

Step 2: Create Your Organization (Required)

Important: As of 2025, OpenAI requires all users to create an organization before generating API keys.

1. Start Building:
   • Once logged in, locate and click the "Start building" button in the upper right corner
2. Organization Setup:
   • Enter your organization name
   • Select your role from the dropdown menu
   • Click "Create organization"
3. Complete Setup Process:
   • Follow the 4-step progress indicator to completion
   • This process will guide you through the initial setup requirements

Step 3: Generate Your API Key

1. Access API Keys Section:
   • After completing organization setup, navigate to the API Keys section
   • You can also access this directly at platform.openai.com/api-keys
2. Create New Key:
   • Click on the "Create new secret key" button
   • Optionally, give your key a descriptive name for easy identification
3. Copy Your Key:
   • Critical: Copy this key immediately and store it securely
   • The complete key will not be shown again once you leave this page
   • If you lose your key, you'll need to create a new one

Step 4: Secure Your API Key

1. Store Safely:
   • Save your API key in a secure location (password manager, encrypted file, or environment variables)
   • Never share your API key publicly or commit it to version control
2. Set Usage Limits (Recommended):
   • Navigate to "Usage limits" in the left menu
   • Set hard and soft usage limits to control monthly spending
   • This helps prevent unexpected charges
3. Set Up Billing:
   • Go to "Billing" in the left menu, then "Payment methods"
   • Add your payment information for API usage beyond free trial credits

Security Best Practices

• Never expose API keys in client-side code or public repositories
• Use environment variables to store keys in your applications
• Regularly rotate your API keys for enhanced security
• Monitor usage through the OpenAI dashboard to detect any unauthorized access
• Revoke compromised keys immediately if you suspect they've been exposed

Official Documentation

For the most up-to-date information and detailed technical documentation, refer to:

• OpenAI API Documentation: platform.openai.com/docs
• API Keys Management: platform.openai.com/api-keys
• Quickstart Guide: platform.openai.com/docs/quickstart
• API Reference: platform.openai.com/docs/api-reference

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues:

• Ensure you've completed the organization setup process
• Verify your email address if prompted
• Check that you have sufficient billing information for API usage
• Contact OpenAI support through their platform if problems persist

Next Steps

Once you have your API key:

1. Test your connection with a simple API call
2. Review the pricing structure at openai.com/pricing
3. Implement proper error handling and rate limiting in your applications
4. Monitor your usage and costs through the OpenAI dashboard

Last updated: July 2025 - Always refer to OpenAI's official documentation for the most current information, as the platform interface may continue to evolve.