How to Connect Your OpenAI API Key
Learn how to bring your own OpenAI API key to Reepl for AI-powered content generation
Connecting your own OpenAI API key (BYOK -- Bring Your Own Key) lets you use your OpenAI billing account instead of spending Reepl credits on AI operations. All plans can connect an OpenAI key. If you choose to use your own key while setting up Reepl, connecting an OpenAI key also starts a one-time 7-day Pro trial.
Create an OpenAI API key
Go to platform.openai.com/api-keys. Click Verify to get started if prompted, then complete the verification process.
Generate a new secret key
Click Create new secret key. Give the key a descriptive name (e.g., "Reepl") and grant all permissions. Copy the key -- it starts with sk- and is only shown once.
Open AI Models & API in Reepl
Navigate to Settings > AI Models & APIs in the Reepl web app. OpenAI appears alongside the other AI providers (Claude, Gemini, OpenRouter) on this page.
AI providers are managed on the AI Models & API Keys page, not the main Integrations page.
Add your API key
Under Available, click OpenAI, paste your API key into the input field, and click Add API Key. The key is stored encrypted -- only a partial key is visible after saving.
Your OpenAI key is now active. To pause it without deleting it, click Manage next to OpenAI and use the switch on the key card. See Turn a key on or off.
What changes with a connected key
- Reepl's writing tools run on your OpenAI account instead of Reepl's own AI, which lowers their credit cost. See Usage & Credits.
- ChatGPT Images becomes available for generating post images in the composer.
- Beat AI Detection toggle appears when you click Manage next to OpenAI, on paid plans. It uses 2x credits.
- A one-time 7-day Pro trial if you chose to use your own key while setting up Reepl
The 7-day Pro trial is only offered once, when you pick the own-key option during setup and connect an OpenAI key. After it ends, a paid plan is needed to keep using Pro features.