OpenAI API Key Setup Guide
TL;DR: Get your OpenAI API key from platform.openai.com, add it to LLM OneStop through the dashboard, and select your preferred models from the 70+ available options.
Getting Your OpenAI API Key
Create an OpenAI Account
Visit OpenAI's platform and sign up for an account if you don't already have one. You can use your existing ChatGPT account or create a new one specifically for API access.Navigate to API Keys Section
Once logged in, click on your profile icon in the top-right corner and select "View API keys" from the dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can go directly to the API keys page through the dashboard.Create a New API Key
Click the "Create new secret key" button. Give your key a descriptive name like "LLM OneStop" so you can easily identify it later. OpenAI will generate a unique key that starts with "sk-".- Copy the key immediately as OpenAI will only show it once
- Store it securely - you won't be able to view it again
Adding Your API Key to LLM OneStop
Access the Dashboard
Log into your LLM OneStop account and navigate to the Dashboard. You'll see an "API Keys" section with an "Add API Key" button.Fill Out the API Key Form
Click "Add API Key" and you'll see a form with three fields:- Provider: Select "OpenAI" from the dropdown menu
- Name: Enter a descriptive name like "Main OpenAI Key" or "Personal OpenAI"
- API Key: Paste your OpenAI API key (the one starting with "sk-")
Save Your Key
Click "Add Key" to save your API key. LLM OneStop will automatically validate the key and fetch all available models from OpenAI.
Managing OpenAI Models
Understanding Available Models
- GPT-4 variants: The most advanced models for complex reasoning and creative tasks
- GPT-3.5 models: Faster and more cost-effective for many applications
- Fine-tuned models: Specialized versions optimized for specific tasks
- Legacy models: Older versions maintained for compatibility
Selecting Your Preferred Models
Access Model Preferences
In your dashboard, locate your OpenAI API key entry and click "Manage Models" or the model preferences button.Choose Your Models
You'll see a modal with all available OpenAI models. By default, only a few models are selected to keep your chat interface clean. Check the boxes next to the models you want to use in your chats.- Popular choices include gpt-4, gpt-4-turbo, and gpt-3.5-turbo
- Consider your use case and budget when selecting models
Save Your Selection
Click "Save Selection" to apply your model preferences. These models will now appear in your chat interface dropdown.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
API Key Not Working
- Verify the key is copied correctly without extra spaces
- Check that your OpenAI account has sufficient credits
- Ensure your API key hasn't been deleted from OpenAI's platform
- Confirm your OpenAI account has API access enabled
No Models Appearing
- Wait a few moments for the model list to load
- Refresh the page and try again
- Check your OpenAI account status and billing information
Limited Model Access
- Your OpenAI account doesn't have access to certain models (like GPT-4)
- Geographic restrictions apply to your region
- Your account tier limits available models
Billing and Usage
| Model Family | Typical Use Case | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GPT-4 | Complex reasoning, creative writing | High |
| GPT-3.5-turbo | General chat, quick tasks | Low |
| Fine-tuned models | Specialized applications | Varies |
Next Steps
- Start a new chat and select your preferred OpenAI model
- Experiment with different models to find what works best for your needs
- Consider adding API keys from other providers for more model variety
- Monitor your usage and adjust model selection as needed
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Great article! I've been trying to decide between Claude and GPT-4 for my project, and your breakdown of their strengths was incredibly helpful. I especially appreciated the section on context window comparisons.
I've been using multiple LLMs in my workflow for different tasks, exactly as you suggested. Using Claude for creative writing and GPT-4 for coding has been a game-changer for my productivity. Would love to see a follow-up article on how to create effective pipelines between different models!
Have you tested the code generation capabilities of these models with TypeScript specifically? I'm curious how they handle type definitions and generics. My experience has been mixed so far.
Great question, James! I've been exploring this exact topic for a follow-up article. In my testing, Claude 3 Opus and GPT-4 both handle TypeScript quite well, but they have different strengths. Claude tends to produce more maintainable type definitions for complex objects, while GPT-4 seems better with generics. I'll share more comprehensive findings in my next article!
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