What is an API Key?

An API Key is a digital password for accessing external services. In CodeFreeAI, you need an API Key to use AI models or external platforms.

πŸ”‘ Concept of API Key

Simple Analogy

An API Key is like a Hotel Key Card:

  • 🏨 Hotel = External Service (ChatGPT, Slack, etc.)
  • πŸ”‘ Key Card = API Key
  • πŸ‘€ You = CodeFreeAI Workflow

Just as you need a key card to enter a room (service), You need an API Key to use an external service.

Technical Definition

An API Key is a token for Authentication and Authorization:

  • Authentication: Verifies "Who you are"
  • Authorization: Determines "What you can do"
  • Billing: Tracks usage and charges fees

πŸ“ Types of API Keys

Common Formats

Each service has a different API Key format:

ChatGPT (OpenAI)

sk-proj-1234567890abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

Claude (Anthropic)

sk-ant-api03-1234567890abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

Gemini (Google)

AIzaSyD1234567890abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvw

Slack Bot Token

xoxb-1234567890-1234567890-abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz

Telegram Bot Token

123456789:ABCdefGHIjklMNOpqrsTUVwxyz1234567890

πŸ” What does an API Key do?

1. Identity Verification

[Workflow] ---> "I am sk-proj-123..."
                     |
                     v
             [OpenAI Server]
                     |
                     v
             "Verified. Access Granted"

2. Usage Tracking

Through the API Key, service providers:

  • βœ… Track how much you used
  • βœ… Charge based on usage
  • βœ… Manage usage limits
  • βœ… Provide statistics

3. Permission Control

Different permissions are granted for each API Key:

  • Read Only
  • Write Access
  • Admin Privileges
  • Restricted Features

πŸ’° API Keys and Costs

Free vs Paid

Type Description Example
Free Service API Key needed but no cost Telegram, Slack, Discord
Free Quota Free up to a certain amount Gemini (60/min)
Pay-as-you-go Charged by usage ChatGPT, Claude, Grok

Billing Methods

Token-based (AI Services)

Input Tokens + Output Tokens = Total Tokens
Total Tokens Γ— Unit Price = Cost

Example: ChatGPT GPT-4o

  • Input: $0.15 / 1M Tokens
  • Output: $0.60 / 1M Tokens

Request-based (Some Services)

API Call Count Γ— Unit Price = Cost

πŸ›‘οΈ API Key Security

Why is API Key important?

If an API Key is exposed:

  • ❌ Others can use the service with your key
  • ❌ Fees charged for unused usage
  • ❌ Usage limit exceeded
  • ❌ Risk of account suspension

Real Case

Uploaded API Key to GitHub
    ↓
Bot automatically collects key
    ↓
Abused for crypto mining etc.
    ↓
Millions charged πŸ’Έ

This actually happens!

How to Manage Safely

βœ… Do's

  • Save as Environment Variable
  • Regenerate key periodically
  • Set usage alerts
  • Use private repositories

❌ Don'ts

  • Upload to public GitHub
  • Share screenshots
  • Print to logs
  • Share with multiple people

Read API Key Security Guide

πŸ”„ API Key Lifecycle

1. Issuance

Sign up β†’ Verify Account β†’ Generate API Key

2. Usage

Input to Workflow β†’ Call Service β†’ Return Result

3. Management

Monitor Usage β†’ Adjust Limits β†’ Check Stats

4. Regeneration

Regenerate key when:

  • πŸ”“ Key is exposed
  • πŸ”„ Regular security maintenance
  • ❌ Suspicious usage pattern detected
  • 🚫 App no longer in use

🎯 Usage in CodeFreeAI

How to Input API Key

  1. Edit Workflow
  2. Click Node
  3. Enter in API Key Field
  4. Save

Security Processing

CodeFreeAI handles API Keys by:

  • πŸ”’ Storing encrypted
  • 🚫 Not leaving in logs
  • πŸ‘οΈ Masking (*...)
  • πŸ” Sending securely

Using in Multiple Workflows

Same API Key can be reused in multiple workflows:

Workflow A  \
Workflow B  ---> [Same API Key]
Workflow C  /

Note: Usage is aggregated!

πŸ’‘ API Key vs Other Auth Methods

Method Description Pros Cons
API Key Fixed string Simple Exposure risk
OAuth Token-based Secure Complex
JWT Encrypted token High security Hard to implement

CodeFreeAI uses API Key method for simplicity.

πŸŽ“ Further Learning

Want to know more about API?

❓ FAQ

Q: Can I use it without an API Key? A: AI services require it, but some nodes like Trigger or Http Response do not.

Q: Can multiple people share an API Key? A: Technically yes, but not recommended for security. Issue individually.

Q: What if my API Key is exposed? A: Immediately delete/regenerate the key on the service and check usage.

Q: Who pays for the API Key cost? A: The person who issued the key (Service account owner) pays.

Q: Is there a test API Key? A: Some services (like Gemini) provide free tiers that can be used for testing.

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