Set up your own API key for Intake AI

A beginner-friendly BYOK guide for OpenAI, Claude, or Gemini, from creating a key to testing it in Intake.

What is an API key?

An API key is like a private password between Intake and your chosen AI provider. Tokens are small pieces of text that providers use to measure API usage.

  • Private key
  • OpenAI, Claude, or Gemini
  • Provider account

Choose a provider and add the key

Create the key with the provider, select that provider in Intake, keep the suitable default model or optionally enter another, and paste the key.

  • Choose provider
  • Model is optional
  • Key stored securely on device

Costs and security

BYOK has no Intake AI subscription charge. The key stays on your device; API costs and usage limits follow the provider’s current terms.

  • No Intake AI subscription
  • On-device key storage
  • Gemini has a limited free tier