Ask AI connects to OpenAI’s language models using your own API key. This means your data stays private and billing stays fully under your control — you only pay OpenAI directly for what you use. This guide walks you through creating and connecting your key in just a few minutes.
⚡ Quick Steps
Register or log in: https://platform.openai.com/
Add a payment method: https://platform.openai.com/account/billing
Create your API key: https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
Copy the key (starts with
sk-) and store it somewhere safe.Paste it in Ordemio Ask AI under API Key → Verify and Connect.
Need more detail? Follow the full walkthrough below.
💡 Why You Need an API Key
An API key is a unique code that allows Ask AI to securely communicate with OpenAI. It belongs to you, not Ordemio, so you remain in full control of access and billing.
ChatGPT Plus is not required — the API and ChatGPT are separate products.
Before You Start
Make sure you have:
A free OpenAI account → https://platform.openai.com/
A valid payment method for API usage
(Optional) A team or organization account if you’re setting this up for a company
Costs:
Creating a key is free.
You pay only for what you use — based on token usage (small text chunks).
For reference, GPT-4o costs around $5 per 1M input tokens and $15 per 1M output tokens — light users usually spend under $10/month.
See OpenAI Pricing →
Step 1 — Open the OpenAI Platform
Go to https://platform.openai.com/ and log in.
Once logged in, you’ll see your OpenAI Platform Dashboard
Step 2 — Go to Billing
In the left sidebar, click Billing to open your payment settings. This is where you’ll manage payment methods and usage limits.
Step 3 — Add Payment Details
Click Add payment details and fill in your card information and billing address, then click Continue.
Step 4 — Configure Payment
Next, configure your payment settings. You can set an initial credit amount (minimum $5) and choose whether to enable automatic recharge to keep your balance topped up.
💡 Tip: You can adjust or remove your payment method anytime in Billing → Payment methods.
Step 5 — Create a New API Key
Now that billing is active, you can create your API key.
In the left sidebar, click API keys.
Then click Create new secret key.
Step 6 — Name and Create the Key
Give your key a name such as “Ordemio Ask AI”, keep the default project, and click Create secret key to generate it.
Step 7 — Copy and Store Your Key
Your new key will appear — it starts with sk-. Copy it immediately and store it somewhere safe, because this is the only time it will be shown. Click Done when finished.
Step 8 — View and Manage Your Keys
All your keys are listed on the API keys page, where you can rename, delete, or revoke them if needed.
To remove a key, click the trash icon and confirm.
🔒 Revoking a key immediately disables it — useful if you no longer use it or believe it’s exposed.
Step 9 — Connect Your Key to Ordemio Ask AI
Go to your Ask AI setup screen.
Paste your copied API key into the API Key field.
Click Verify and Connect.
Once verified, you’re ready to use Ask AI. You can update or remove your key anytime from your OpenAI dashboard.
FAQs
Do I need ChatGPT Plus?
No. The OpenAI API is separate from ChatGPT.
Why do I need to add payment?
The API works on pay-per-use. You control your spend, and OpenAI bills you directly.
Can I limit my spending?
Yes — in the Billing section, you can set usage or recharge limits.
Key not working?
Make sure billing is active and you copied the full key (starts with sk-).
🛡️ Best Practices
Keep your API key private.
Use a dedicated key for Ordemio.
Rotate or delete old keys regularly.
✅ You’re All Set!
Your OpenAI API key is now ready — copy it once, connect it in Ask AI, and start exploring.
If you have any issues, contact [email protected] — we’re happy to help.