Bring your own key
Most people just buy credits and never think about this page. If you would rather run on your own model access key and pay the provider directly, this is the whole setup. It takes a few minutes and you only do it once.
Getting your OpenRouter key
Going the own-key route puts you in full control of your own OpenRouter credit, down to the cent. Here is the whole setup, and why it is nothing to worry about.
1
Create a free OpenRouter account
Just an email, at openrouter.ai.
2
Add a little credit
$5 is plenty to start. It's your money, sitting in your account.
3
Set a spending limit
Your hard ceiling. Nothing can ever go past it.
4
Create your API key
One click on the keys page. Copy it.
5
Paste it into Executive Council
Once. We take it from there, and you're running the real council.
Is this safe? Yes, here's why.
- You set the spending limit. Cap it at $5 and nothing can ever go past it.
- Turn it off whenever you want, in one click.
- Start small. A few cents gets you a full deliberation.
- We can never touch your money. We only ever spend what you allow.
How we handle your key
- We store it encrypted, so it syncs across your devices and you only paste it once.
- We never show it back to you, and we never charge our own account with it.
- You can replace it or delete it from the app at any time.
- Spend stays under your control, because the limits are set on your own provider account.
Not sure you want the setup? Buy credits instead and skip this entirely. See pricing or read how a deliberation runs.