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Connect an AI model API key safely
Get an API key from Anthropic, OpenAI, OpenRouter, Google Gemini or another supported provider and connect it to the Basis agent.
Choose a provider and a tool-capable model
Basis is bring-your-own-key. The platform itself is free; your selected AI provider bills model usage directly. OpenRouter is convenient when you want one key for many model families. Direct Anthropic, OpenAI and Gemini keys are suitable when you already use those providers.
| Provider | Best fit | Key portal |
|---|---|---|
| Anthropic | Strong multi-step tool use and vision | console.anthropic.com |
| OpenAI | Reasoning, tool use and vision | platform.openai.com |
| OpenRouter | One key across many vendors with reported request cost | openrouter.ai |
| Google Gemini | Large context and fast models | aistudio.google.com |
| Local | No provider bill; model runs on your computer | Ollama or LM Studio |
Connect the key in Basis
- 01
Open Assistant
Open the Assistant panel from the right dock or the mobile AI button.
- 02
Select the provider
Choose the company that issued the key. A key works only with its matching provider.
- 03
Paste the key
Paste it into the masked API key field. Basis checks obvious copy errors but the provider performs final authentication.
- 04
Choose storage
Leave Remember off to keep the key only for the current browser session. Turn it on only on a trusted personal device.
- 05
Select a model
Choose a model marked for tool use. Tool-less models cannot read market data and are blocked from acting as an agent.
Where the key goes — and where it never goes
By default, the key lives in session storage and disappears when the tab closes. Remembering it moves it to local browser storage. Requests travel from your browser directly to the provider you selected; the key is not proxied through Basis servers, synchronized to the Basis database, written into conversation history or passed to sandbox code.
- Provider errors are redacted before they reach the interface.
- Chart screenshots exclude account panels and keys.
- Custom model endpoints are limited to your machine or local network.
- Clearing the provider key removes both session and remembered copies.
Important
Any browser extension or malicious script with access to the site can be a risk to browser-stored secrets. Use a trusted browser profile, keep extensions minimal and do not remember keys on shared devices.
Fix common connection errors
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Unauthorized / 401 | Wrong provider, revoked key or copy error | Recreate the key and verify the provider selector |
| Insufficient credits / quota | Provider account has no usable balance | Add provider credit or select another key |
| Model cannot use tools | Selected model does not support function calling | Pick a tool-capable model |
| Browser network error | Provider CORS, extension or local endpoint configuration | Disable interfering extensions; for Ollama set OLLAMA_ORIGINS=* |
| Very high cost | Frontier model plus many agent rounds | Use a cheaper tool-capable model and narrow the task |