Learn how to connect your AI provider API keys to ARKA-AI and unlock access to powerful AI models.
ARKA-AI uses a Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) model. Instead of paying us for AI usage, you connect your own API keys from AI providers like OpenAI and OpenRouter. This gives you:
Direct Pricing
Pay providers directly at their published rates
Full Access
Use any model available on your account
Your Control
Set your own spending limits
ARKA-AI currently supports two major AI providers:
| Provider | Models | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| OpenAI | GPT-4o, GPT-4o Mini, GPT-4 Turbo, o1 Mini | General tasks, coding, reasoning |
| OpenRouter | Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Gemini 1.5, Llama 3.1, DeepSeek | Writing, long context, budget-friendly options |
Use Both Providers
For the best experience, add API keys from both OpenAI and OpenRouter. This gives ARKAbrain access to all models and allows it to select the optimal model for each task.
Get and configure your OpenAI API key
Get and configure your OpenRouter API key
Once you have your API key from a provider:
Key Validation
ARKA-AI validates your API key by making a small test request when you save it. If the key is invalid or has no credits, you'll see an error message.
You can manage your API keys at any time from the Settings page:
Key Deletion
When you delete a key from ARKA-AI, it's immediately removed from our encrypted storage. This doesn't delete the key from the provider's platform - you should also revoke it there if no longer needed.
Your API keys are protected with industry-standard security measures: