Getting API Keys to use Fido with AI Services

Getting API Keys to use Fido with AI Services

Fido connects to AI services via their APIs, which require a personal API key. Most services require an account and payment details to obtain a key. This guide covers the sign-up process and payment model for each supported service.

Anthropic (Claude)

Claude logo

https://console.anthropic.com

Straightforward sign-up with direct access to a powerful AI service. There is no permanent free tier, but introductory offers are occasionally available.

Steps to get your key:

  1. Sign up or log in at the URL above
  2. Go to API Keys in the left sidebar
  3. Click Create Key
  4. Copy and save your key securely

PAYMENT

Pay-as-you-go billing; costs depend on usage. No permanent free tier, though introductory credits are sometimes offered.

OpenAI

OpenAI logohttps://platform.openai.com

A polished and beginner-friendly experience, though a payment method is usually required early in the process.

Steps to get your key:

  1. Create an account or log in at the URL above
  2. Go to API Keys in the dashboard
  3. Click Create new secret key
  4. Copy and save your key securely

PAYMENT

Limited trial credits are sometimes available for new accounts. Ongoing use requires billing setup.

Mistral AI

Mistral logohttps://console.mistral.ai

Similar to other services, but adds a workspace setup step before you can create a key, which slightly increases the initial complexity.

Steps to get your key:

  1. Create an account at the URL above
  2. Set up a workspace when prompted
  3. Go to API Keys in the dashboard
  4. Click Create key
  5. Copy and save your key securely

PAYMENT

Billing is typically required for API access. Limited experimental or free plans may be available — check the console for current offers.

Google (Gemini API)

Gemini logohttps://aistudio.google.com

The quickest service to get started with, especially if you already have a Google account. A free tier with rate limits is available.

Steps to get your key:

  1. Sign in with your Google account at the URL above
  2. Click Get API key
  3. Click Create API key
  4. Copy and save your key securely

PAYMENT

A free tier is available with rate limits. Billing details may be requested but are only charged for usage above the free tier.

Datalab (Marker API)

Datalab logohttps://datalab.to/auth/sign_up

A document conversion specialist rather than a general AI service. Highly effective at converting text-based documents. New accounts receive $5 in free credits, enough for hundreds of pages of processing.

Steps to get your key:

  1. Sign up at the URL above
  2. Go to API Keys in your dashboard
  3. Copy and save your key securely

PAYMENT

$5 in free credits included on sign-up — sufficient for hundreds of pages of document processing. Paid plans available for higher volumes.

OpenRouter

OpenRouter logohttps://openrouter.ai

Not a single AI model but a gateway service: one API key gives access to models from many different providers. A convenient option if you want to experiment with multiple services without separate accounts for each.

Steps to get your key:

  1. Sign up at the URL above
  2. Go to API Keys in your dashboard
  3. Click Create Key
  4. Copy and save your key securely

PAYMENT

Some models are available free of charge; pricing for others varies by provider and model. Check the OpenRouter model catalogue for current rates.

PaddleOCR

Paddle OCR logohttps://aistudio.baidu.com/paddleocr

The hosted version of PaddleOCR, run by Baidu (the team behind PaddleOCR).

Steps to get your key:

  1. Sign in at the URL above with your GitHub or Google account
  2. Once logged in, navigate to your account settings to generate an access token
  3. Copy and save your token securely

PAYMENT
A free tier is available, with 1 million tokens granted on sign-in and a further 1 million after completing profile verification.

Tags: Fido