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Getting Your OpenAI API Key

This guide will walk you through the process of obtaining an API key from OpenAI to use with EZ Testing.

Prerequisites​

  • A valid email address
  • Access to a payment method (OpenAI requires billing setup for API access)
  • Web browser

Step-by-Step Instructions​

1. Create an OpenAI Account​

  1. Navigate to OpenAI's website
  2. Click on "API" in the top navigation menu
  3. Click "Get started" or "Sign up"
  4. Choose to sign up with:
    • Email address and password
    • Google account
    • Microsoft account

[Image placeholder: OpenAI signup page]

2. Verify Your Account​

  1. Check your email for a verification message from OpenAI
  2. Click the verification link in the email
  3. Complete any additional verification steps if prompted

3. Set Up Billing​

warning

OpenAI requires a valid payment method to access the API, even for free tier usage.

  1. After logging in, go to the Billing page
  2. Click "Add payment method"
  3. Enter your credit card or payment information
  4. Set up a spending limit to control costs

[Image placeholder: OpenAI billing setup page]

4. Generate Your API Key​

  1. Navigate to the API Keys page
  2. Click "Create new secret key"
  3. Give your key a descriptive name (e.g., "EZ Testing Integration")
  4. Click "Create secret key"
  5. Important: Copy the API key immediately - you won't be able to see it again

[Image placeholder: OpenAI API key creation dialog]

5. Secure Your API Key​

danger

Never share your API key publicly or commit it to version control. Treat it like a password.

  • Store the key in a secure location (password manager recommended)
  • Consider using environment variables in your applications
  • Regularly rotate your API keys for security

Configuration in EZ Testing​

Once you have your OpenAI API key:

  1. Open EZ Testing configuration
  2. Navigate to LLM Settings or API Configuration
  3. Select OpenAI as your provider
  4. Paste your API key in the designated field
  5. Test the connection to ensure it's working

Troubleshooting​

Common Issues​

"Invalid API key" error

  • Verify you copied the entire key without extra spaces
  • Ensure the key hasn't been revoked or expired
  • Check that billing is properly set up

"Rate limit exceeded" error

  • Check your usage limits on the OpenAI dashboard
  • Consider upgrading your plan or adjusting usage patterns

"Insufficient quota" error

  • Add more funds to your OpenAI account
  • Review your spending limits

Usage Limits and Pricing​

OpenAI pricing is based on token usage:

  • Input tokens (prompt text)
  • Output tokens (generated responses)
  • Different models have different pricing tiers

Check the current OpenAI pricing page for up-to-date costs.

Next Steps​

Additional Resources​