AI Provider API Keys

To use AI features in Oplinque, you need an API key from at least one AI provider. This guide walks you through getting API keys from each supported provider.

Supported Providers

OpenAI

OpenAI provides the GPT-5.6 and GPT-Realtime 2.1 families. An OpenAI key is required for the live Voice Interview feature.

Steps to Get Your API Key

1. Create an Account

   • Go to platform.openai.com
   • Click Sign up or Log in if you have an account

2. Add Payment Method

   • Navigate to Settings → Billing
   • Click Add payment method
   • Enter your credit card details
   • Set a usage limit to control costs (recommended: $10-20/month)

3. Create API Key

   • Go to platform.openai.com/api-keys
   • Click Create new secret key
   • Give it a name like "Oplinque"
   • Important: Copy the key immediately - it will only be shown once!
   • If you lose it, delete and create a new one

4. Add to Oplinque

   • Go to Settings → AI Settings
   • Paste your key in the OpenAI field
   • Click Save

Key Format

sk-proj-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Recommended Models

• GPT-5.6 Terra - Default balance of capability and cost
• GPT-5.6 Sol - Highest-capability option
• GPT-5.6 Luna - High-volume, lower-cost option
• GPT-Realtime 2.1 Mini - Default for live voice interviews

Models, prices, and regional availability can change. Check the OpenAI model catalog before choosing a model.

Anthropic (Claude)

Anthropic provides Claude models, known for excellent reasoning and long context handling.

Steps to Get Your API Key

1. Create an Account

   • Go to console.anthropic.com
   • Click Sign up with email or Google

2. Add Payment Method

   • Navigate to Settings → Billing
   • Click Add payment method
   • Add credits to your account (minimum $5)

3. Create API Key

   • Go to console.anthropic.com/settings/keys
   • Click Create Key
   • Name it "Oplinque"
   • Important: Copy the key immediately - it will only be shown once!
   • If you lose it, delete and create a new one

4. Add to Oplinque

   • Go to Settings → AI Settings
   • Paste your key in the Anthropic field
   • Click Save

Key Format

sk-ant-api03-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Recommended Models

• Claude Sonnet 5 - Default balance of speed and reasoning
• Claude Opus 5 - Advanced reasoning option
• Claude Fable 5 - Frontier capability tier
• Claude Haiku 4.5 - Current high-efficiency tier

For current availability and pricing, see the Anthropic model overview.

Google AI (Gemini)

Google AI provides Gemini models with a generous free tier.

Steps to Get Your API Key

1. Go to Google AI Studio

   • Visit aistudio.google.com
   • Sign in with your Google account

2. Get API Key

   • Click Get API Key in the left sidebar
   • Click Create API key
   • Select or create a Google Cloud project
   • Important: Copy the key immediately - it may only be shown once!
   • You can view existing keys but may need to regenerate if lost

3. Add to Oplinque

   • Go to Settings → AI Settings
   • Paste your key in the Google AI field
   • Click Save

Key Format

AIzaSyxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Recommended Models

• Gemini 3.6 Flash - Stable, production-ready default
• Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite - Current high-efficiency option
• Gemini 3.1 Pro Preview - Preview option; not recommended as a production default

Quotas, free access, and pricing vary by country and account. Check the Gemini model catalog.

xAI (Grok)

xAI provides Grok models with real-time knowledge and unique capabilities.

Steps to Get Your API Key

1. Create an Account

   • Go to console.x.ai
   • Sign up with your X (Twitter) account or email

2. Add Payment Method

   • Navigate to billing settings
   • Add a payment method

3. Create API Key

   • Go to API Keys section
   • Click Create new key
   • Important: Copy the key immediately - it will only be shown once!
   • If you lose it, delete and create a new one

4. Add to Oplinque

   • Go to Settings → AI Settings
   • Paste your key in the xAI field
   • Click Save

Key Format

xai-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Recommended Models

• Grok 4.5 - Current direct xAI model used by Oplinque for web-assisted compensation research

For current availability and pricing, see the Grok 4.5 documentation.

OpenRouter

OpenRouter provides access to multiple AI providers through a single API key. Great for trying different models.

Steps to Get Your API Key

1. Create an Account

   • Go to openrouter.ai
   • Click Sign up with Google, GitHub, or email

2. Add Credits

   • Navigate to Credits in your dashboard
   • Add funds via credit card or crypto
   • Minimum $5 recommended to start

3. Create API Key

   • Go to openrouter.ai/keys
   • Click Create Key
   • Name it "Oplinque"
   • Important: Copy the key immediately - it will only be shown once!
   • If you lose it, delete and create a new one

4. Add to Oplinque

   • Go to Settings → AI Settings
   • Paste your key in the OpenRouter field
   • Click Save

Key Format

sk-or-v1-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Benefits

• Access to models from multiple providers
• Compare different models easily
• Unified billing through OpenRouter

For more details, see the OpenRouter documentation

Important: API Key Security

You Can Only Copy Your Key Once!

Warning: Most providers only show your API key once when you create it. After you close the dialog or navigate away, you cannot view it again.

What this means:

• Copy your key immediately after creation
• Paste it directly into Oplinque before doing anything else
• If you lose your key, you'll need to create a new one

What To Do If Your Key Is Leaked

If you accidentally share your key publicly (in code, screenshots, etc.):

1. Delete the compromised key immediately

   • Go to your provider's API key management page
   • Find the leaked key and delete/revoke it

2. Create a new key

   • Generate a fresh API key
   • Update the key in Oplinque settings

3. Check for unauthorized usage

   • Review your usage dashboard for unusual activity
   • Check if unexpected charges appeared

How to delete and regenerate keys by provider:

Security Best Practices

1. Never share your API key - Treat it like a password
2. Don't commit keys to code repositories - Use environment variables
3. Use unique keys for Oplinque - Create a separate key for each app
4. Set spending limits - Most providers let you cap monthly spending
5. Monitor usage regularly - Check your provider dashboard weekly
6. Rotate keys periodically - Create new keys and delete old ones every few months
7. Don't paste keys in public - Screenshots, forums, chat can expose them

What Oplinque Does To Protect Your Key

• Protects your key before storing it in the database (where supported)
• Avoids logging your key in plain text
• Uses your key for features you enable
• Doesn't share your key with third parties except to provide the service or as required by law
• Minimizes exposure of your key in transit and processing

Official Provider Documentation

For the most up-to-date and detailed information, refer to each provider's official docs:

Troubleshooting

"Invalid API Key" Error

• Check for extra spaces when copying
• Verify the key hasn't been revoked
• Ensure you have billing set up

"Insufficient Credits" Error

• Add funds to your provider account
• Check your spending limits

"Rate Limit" Error

• Wait a few seconds and try again
• Consider upgrading your plan for higher limits

Features Not Working

1. Verify the API key is saved in settings
2. Check that the feature is enabled
3. Ensure you selected a valid model for that provider

Cost Management Tips

1. Check local availability - Provider access, taxes, and billing vary by country
2. Use efficient models first - GPT-5.6 Luna, Gemini 3.5 Flash-Lite, and Claude Haiku 4.5 are lower-cost options
3. Set spending caps - Most providers allow monthly limits
4. Monitor usage - Check your dashboard weekly
5. Enable only needed features - Disable features you don't use

Next Steps

• Configure AI Settings
• Generate Cover Letters
• Analyze Your Resume