What this tutorial covers
By the end of this tutorial you will have:
- connected at least one AI provider to your account
- set a default model for PromptPlan to use
- understood how PromptPlan stores and uses your key securely
Estimated time: 5–10 minutes.
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Before you start
PromptPlan includes free models out of the box. You do not need your own API key to run prompts.
Connecting your own key is useful when you want:
- access to specific models not available on the free tier
- higher rate limits for heavy usage
- full control over which provider and model your prompts use
If the free models cover your needs right now, you can skip this setup entirely and return later.
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Step 1: Open AI settings
Go to /settings/ai.
This is your personal AI configuration page. Everything here is tied to your account only — it does not affect other users.
The page is divided into three areas:
| Area | What it does |
|---|---|
| Default model | Sets which model PromptPlan selects by default across the product |
| Saved connections | Lists every API key you have connected and its current status |
| Add connection | Form for connecting a new provider key |
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Step 2: Choose a provider
In the Add connection section, open the Provider dropdown.
PromptPlan supports three providers:
| Provider | Best for |
|---|---|
| OpenRouter | Access to a wide range of models from multiple providers through a single key |
| OpenAI | Direct access to GPT models using an OpenAI account key |
| Claude | Direct access to Anthropic models using an Anthropic account key |
Select the provider that matches the API key you plan to use.
Choosing the wrong provider is the most common setup mistake. An OpenAI key entered under OpenRouter will fail validation even though the key itself is valid.
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Step 3: Get your API key
Next to the API key field, click Get API key. This opens the correct key management page for the provider you selected.
- OpenRouter: openrouter.ai/keys — create a new key under your account
- OpenAI: platform.openai.com/api-keys — create a new secret key
- Claude: console.anthropic.com/account/keys — create a new API key
Copy the key immediately after creating it. Most providers only show the full key once.
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Step 4: Paste your key and connect
Paste the key into the API key field.
The field is masked — what you paste will appear as dots. This is normal and does not affect how the key is saved.
Optionally, add a Connection label to identify this connection later. Labels are useful if you plan to connect more than one provider:
OpenRouter — personalOpenAI — team budgetClaude — research
If you leave the label blank, PromptPlan will name the connection automatically based on the provider.
Click Connect API key.
PromptPlan validates the key immediately after saving. If the connection is successful, it will appear in the Saved connections section.
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Step 5: What to do if the connection fails
If validation fails, check the following:
Provider mismatch — the most common cause. Confirm the provider in the dropdown matches the key you pasted. An Anthropic key must use the Claude provider, not OpenAI.
Incomplete key copy — keys are long and easy to truncate. Return to your provider's dashboard, copy the key again, and re-paste it.
Inactive key — the key may not yet be active or may have been revoked. Check the key's status in your provider account.
Missing access — some providers require you to enable API access or fund your account before a key can make requests. Check your provider account for any required setup steps.
Once you have identified the issue, paste the corrected key and click Connect API key again.
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Step 6: Set your default model
After your connection is saved, open the Default model section at the top of the page.
Click the model selector and choose the model you want PromptPlan to default to.
The model list will include:
- PromptPlan free models — always available, no key required
- Models from your connected providers — appear once your connection is validated
The default model is used as the starting selection in model pickers across the product — when running templates, workflows, and other AI features. Individual prompts and workflows can still override this with a different model when needed.
If you do not set a default, PromptPlan falls back to its own default selection.
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Step 7: Review your saved connections
The Saved connections section shows every key you have connected.
For each connection you can see:
- the connection label and provider
- a masked preview of the key (for example,
sk-...ab3f) - the last time the connection was validated
- any validation error, if one occurred
Use this section to audit what is active. If a connection is no longer needed, click Remove to delete it from your account.
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How PromptPlan stores your key
Your API key is stored encrypted. In practice, this means:
- the full key is never shown back to you after saving
- only a short masked preview is displayed
- PromptPlan uses the encrypted key only to send requests you initiate
- the key is scoped to your account and never shared with other users
The green security notice at the bottom of the page is a reminder of this. Your key is used for your own requests only.
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Recommended setup for most users
For a clean, simple setup:
- Connect one provider — start with whichever service you already have an account with
- Confirm it validates successfully in Saved connections
- Set your default model to one from that provider
- Add a second provider only if you have a specific reason
Most users do well with a single connection. More connections are not inherently better — they add management overhead without improving results unless you have a clear need for multiple providers.
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What changes after setup
Once your connection is saved and your default model is set, the following will reflect it across PromptPlan:
- Model pickers in templates and workflows will show models from your connected provider
- New runs will default to your chosen model
- Features that require a compatible model will be able to use your connection
You can return to /settings/ai at any time to add a new connection, change your default model, or remove a key you no longer use.