Get Your Free API Keys
Follow these guides to connect your preferred AI provider — bring your own API key, or link ChatGPT / Grok from your subscription. You can also complete setup in Settings → AI Provider without leaving chat.
Important security recommendations
- • Don’t add payment methods to these accounts — use free tiers only.
- • If your API key leaks, there are no financial consequences because no card is on file.
- • Your API keys are stored locally in your browser and never sent to our servers on the free tier.
- • Set a $0 spend limit where available for extra protection.
Google AI Studio
aistudio.google.comStep-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Visit Google AI Studio
Go to aistudio.google.com and sign in with your Google account
- 2
Navigate to API Keys
Click on "Get API key" in the left sidebar or go directly to aistudio.google.com/apikey
- 3
Create API Key
Click "Create API key" button. You can create a key in a new or existing Google Cloud project
- 4
Copy Your Key
Copy the generated API key immediately. Store it safely - you won't be able to see it again
Key Points
- ✓ No credit card required for free tier
- ✓ Exact limits vary by account and region — check your AI Studio dashboard for your specific quotas
- ✓ Gemini 2.5 Pro has the strictest limits; Flash models are more generous
- ✓ Limits reset daily at midnight Pacific time
- ✓ Recommended for beginners - easiest setup
OpenRouter
openrouter.aiStep-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Create Account
Visit openrouter.ai and click "Sign In" then "Sign up"
- 2
Verify Email
Check your email and verify your account
- 3
Navigate to Keys
Go to Settings → API Keys or visit openrouter.ai/keys
- 4
Create New Key
Click "Create Key", give it a name (e.g., "TracingInsights"), and copy the generated key
- 5
Important: Use Free Models
Only use models with ":free" suffix to avoid charges (e.g., deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:free, meta-llama/llama-3.3-70b-instruct:free)
Key Points
- ✓ Free model limits depend on your account credit history — check openrouter.ai/limits for your quotas
- ✓ Free model list rotates — check openrouter.ai/models and filter by price $0
- ✓ No payment method required for free models
- ✓ Set a spend limit of $0 in account settings for extra safety
Cerebras
cloud.cerebras.aiStep-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Create Account
Visit cloud.cerebras.ai and sign up with your email address
- 2
Complete Verification
Verify your email address
- 3
Access API Keys
Navigate to API Keys in the left navigation bar
- 4
Generate Key
Click "Create API Key", name it, and copy it securely
Key Points
- ✓ No payment method required for free tier
- ✓ Ultra-fast inference: 2,600+ tokens/second
- ✓ Free tier: 5 RPM, 30K tokens/min, 1M tokens/day
- ✓ Paid developer tier ($10 deposit) unlocks 10x higher rate limits
ChatGPT Codex
chatgpt.comStep-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Open Provider Settings
Go to Account → AI Provider on TracingInsights, or visit the link below
- 2
Select ChatGPT Codex
Choose "ChatGPT Codex" from the provider dropdown. No API key is needed — Codex uses device-code authorization
- 3
Click "Connect"
A dialog will appear with a short device code and a link to the OpenAI authorization page
- 4
Authorize on OpenAI
Open the provided link (auth.openai.com/codex/device), sign in with your ChatGPT account, paste the device code, and approve the connection
- 5
Wait for Confirmation
Keep the dialog open — TracingInsights will automatically detect the authorization and connect. The status will update to "Connected ChatGPT Codex in this browser"
Key Points
- ✓ Works with any ChatGPT plan: Free, Plus, Pro, or Team
- ✓ No API key or credit card required — uses your existing ChatGPT subscription
- ✓ Authorization is stored locally in your browser (encrypted)
- ✓ Tokens refresh automatically so the connection stays active
- ✓ You can disconnect at any time from the provider settings page
- ✓ For sponsor-tier users: Codex keys can also be stored server-side with AES-256-GCM encryption
Grok (𝕏 Premium+ / SuperGrok)
x.aiStep-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Open Provider Settings
In chat, open Settings → AI Provider (or go to Account → AI Provider). You can stay in the settings modal — no need to leave chat.
- 2
Select Grok
Choose “Grok (𝕏 Premium+ / SuperGrok)” from the provider dropdown. No API key is needed — it uses device-code authorization with your subscription
- 3
Click “Connect”
A dialog will appear with a short device code and a link to the xAI authorization page
- 4
Authorize on xAI
Open the provided link (accounts.x.ai/oauth2/device), sign in with your 𝕏 account that has Premium+ or SuperGrok, paste the device code, and approve the connection
- 5
Wait for Confirmation
Keep the dialog open — TracingInsights will automatically detect the authorization and connect. The status will update to “Connected 𝕏 Premium+/SuperGrok in this browser”
Key Points
- ✓ Experimental — the integration may change as xAI updates their OAuth APIs
- ✓ Requires an active 𝕏 Premium+ or SuperGrok subscription
- ✓ No separate xAI API key required
- ✓ Authorization is stored locally in your browser (encrypted)
- ✓ You can disconnect at any time from the provider settings panel
What's next?
- 1. Choose a provider and follow the steps above to get your API key
- 2. Go to Account → AI Provider (or open Settings from chat) to add your API key, connect ChatGPT Codex, or link experimental Grok (𝕏 Premium+ / SuperGrok)
- 3. Select your preferred AI model
- 4. Start asking F1 questions in chat!
Add your key here: https://app.tracinginsights.com/account?tab=provider