Your own AI key (BYOK)
On paid plans, plug in the API key of your AI provider: your credits are used first, and your key takes over when they run out — the work continues, billed directly by your provider.
1. How it works
Your credits are used first — the month’s credits, then those you bought or were given. When none are left, the agents continue with your key: that work does not use your credits, it is billed by your provider, on your account with them.
A message tells you when it happens: “Your credits have run out — your own keys take over.”
BYOK mode is switched on project by project. Your keys belong to your account.
Voice dictation never uses your key: it stops when your credits run out.
Your keys are stored encrypted.
2. Paid plans only
BYOK is included in the paid plans (see the pricing page); on the free plan, switching it on is refused. If you go back to the free plan, BYOK is switched off on all your projects, and it does not come back on by itself when you move up again: you decide.
Your plan’s limits (storage, resources, code editor…) apply in BYOK mode too.
3. Accepted providers
Any pay-as-you-go API key from one of these providers. Each link opens the page where you create your key. For Zhipu AI, Moonshot AI and Qwen, the link opens their China platform, the one Makasi uses: a key created on their international platform is refused.
Consumer or “coding” subscriptions (chat or coding-assistant plans) are not API keys: their terms reserve them for the provider’s own tools, and Makasi does not accept them. Services that need a server address or cloud credentials on top of the key are not offered.
4. Add your key and switch BYOK on
- Create an account with the provider you chose and add a little credit to its billing (pay-as-you-go key).
- In the provider’s console, create an API key and copy it.
- In Makasi: Settings › API Keys → “Add key”. Choose the provider, give it a label, paste the key and save. The key is checked with the provider when you save it.
- Settings › Your AI key: choose, among your providers’ models, the chat model (analysis and plan) and the build model. Without a choice, the default models apply.
- In your project, open the project preferences (the “⋯” button in the chat box) and switch BYOK on. Only the workspace owner can do it.
5. If your key is refused
When you add it: the provider refuses the key (invalid or disabled) and it is not added. Check it in the provider’s console.
During a build: the work stops and what was already delivered is kept. Check the key in Settings › API Keys, then relaunch.
In the chat: nothing is done. Check the key, then send your message again.
No key for the chosen model: add a key for that provider, or choose a model from a provider whose key you have (Settings › Your AI key).
6. Frequently asked questions
- Who pays when a member works on my project?
- The workspace owner’s account: first its credits, then its key if BYOK is on for the project.
- How much does the work on my key cost?
- Your provider bills it at its own prices — see its pricing page. It does not use your Makasi credits.
- Who is responsible for the key?
- You are responsible for your keys and for your provider’s terms and fees, as set out in our Terms of Service.