Your keys. Your control. Your costs.
ARKA-AI uses your own API keys to access AI models. You pay providers directly, with complete transparency and control.
How ARKA-AI handles your keys
Encrypted at rest
Your API keys are encrypted using industry-standard AES-256 encryption before storage.
Never logged
We never log, track, or store your API key values in our application logs.
Never shared
Your keys are never shared with third parties or used for any purpose other than your requests.
Used only for your requests
Keys are decrypted only at the moment of making an API call on your behalf.
Example costs
These are approximate costs based on typical usage. Actual costs depend on input/output length and the specific model used.
| Task | Model | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Quick text rewrite (500 words) | GPT-4o Mini | ~$0.001 |
| Detailed analysis (2000 words) | GPT-4o | ~$0.02 |
| Code generation with context | Claude 3 Sonnet | ~$0.03 |
| Complex research task | GPT-4o | ~$0.05 |
Common questions
What is BYOK?
BYOK stands for 'Bring Your Own Key'. Instead of paying ARKA-AI for AI usage, you connect your own API keys from providers like OpenAI or OpenRouter. You pay the providers directly at their rates.
Why does ARKA-AI use BYOK?
BYOK gives you complete control over your AI costs and usage. You're not locked into our pricing, and you can use the same keys across multiple tools. It also means we never have to mark up AI costs.
Is my API key safe?
Yes. Your keys are encrypted before storage and only decrypted momentarily when making API calls. We follow security best practices and never log or share your keys.
How do I get an API key?
Sign up at OpenAI (platform.openai.com) or OpenRouter (openrouter.ai), add credits, and generate an API key. Then paste it into your ARKA-AI settings.
Can I revoke my key anytime?
Absolutely. You can delete your key from ARKA-AI settings at any time, and you can also revoke it directly from your provider's dashboard.
Your keys are safe with us
- Encrypted storage with AES-256
- Keys never logged or monitored
- You can delete them anytime
- We never share your keys