Use Your Own AI Key (Optional)

Optional: PhlebBot includes the AI. Connect your own key only if you want unlimited turns or a different model. About 10 minutes the first time.

What is an API key?

An API key is like a personal access code that lets PhlebBot communicate with an AI service (like ChatGPT or Claude) on your behalf. Think of it like a library card — it identifies you to the AI service so it knows who to bill for usage.

You do not need one to use PhlebBot: the instructor AI is included with your subscription (Google Gemini on our key, with a daily turn limit). Bringing your own key is optional. It lifts the daily limit, lets you choose a different provider or model, and puts the usage cost on an account you control.

Keep your key secret

Treat it like a password. Never share it with anyone. PhlebBot encrypts it on your device and sends it to our server only to make each request to your provider; we never store it. See our Privacy Policy for the exact handling.

What does it cost?

Typically $1 to $5/month depending on your provider and usage. AI costs are separate from PhlebBot's subscription.

Choose a Provider

Pick any one — they all work with PhlebBot. We recommend Google Gemini for the best combination of speed and value,OpenAI for a popular alternative, or Anthropic for the highest quality feedback.

Google Gemini

Recommended

Get API Key →

Credit card

Required

Estimated cost

~$0.50-2/month

Key format

AIza...

Gemini Flash models are fast and cheap — the best combination for study sessions.

After creating your API key, you must enable billing on the linked Google Cloud project and add $5 in credits. Enable auto top-up so your training sessions aren’t interrupted when credits run low.

Strengths

Fastest response times (4-12 seconds per question)
Best value — cheapest option with strong quality
Reliable progress tracking
Detailed, thorough explanations

Trade-offs

Responses can be longer than needed
Occasionally uses free-form questions instead of multiple-choice

Step-by-step instructions

1Go to aistudio.google.com/app/apikey and sign in with your Google account (any Gmail address works — this is the developer platform, not the regular Google search page)
2Once signed in, you’ll land on the Google AI Studio dashboard. Look for the "Get API key" button in the left sidebar or near the top of the page and click it. Then click "Create API key." You’ll be asked to pick an existing Google Cloud project or create a new one — if you’re not sure, just click "Create API key in new project" and Google will set one up for you automatically
3Your new API key will appear on screen in a text box. Click the copy icon (the small overlapping-squares icon) next to it to copy it to your clipboard right away. You can always come back to this page later to view the key, but it’s easiest to copy it now
4Next you need to turn on billing so the key actually works. Open the Google Cloud Console (console.cloud.google.com) in a new tab. Click the navigation menu (the three horizontal lines, sometimes called the "hamburger" icon, in the top-left corner), scroll down in that menu, and click "Billing." Select the project you just created and follow the prompts to add a credit or debit card
5Once billing is active, add $5 in prepaid credits to your account. Look for "Overview" or "Transactions" in the Billing section and add funds there. Then look for the "Auto top-up" toggle and turn it on so your balance refills automatically when it runs low — this prevents your study sessions from stopping mid-question
6Head back to PhlebBot, open Settings (click your profile icon in the top-right corner, then select "Settings"), paste your API key into the "API Key" field, and choose "Google Gemini" from the provider dropdown. Click Save and you’re all set!

Get API Key →

OpenAI (ChatGPT)

Popular

Get API Key →

Credit card

Required

Estimated cost

~$1-3/month

Key format

sk-...

New accounts may receive $5 in free credits.

After adding your card, go to Settings → Billing and add $5 in credits. Turn on auto-recharge so your balance refills automatically when it gets low — that way your training won’t stop mid-session.

Strengths

Fast responses (6-15 seconds per question)
Reliable progress tracking — rarely misses a state save
Consistent multiple-choice formatting
Most widely used AI platform with excellent uptime

Trade-offs

Mid-range cost — more expensive than Gemini

Step-by-step instructions

1Go to platform.openai.com/api-keys and sign up or log in (this is platform.openai.com — the developer dashboard, not the regular ChatGPT app at chatgpt.com)
2Once you’re logged in, look at the left sidebar and click the gear icon labeled "Settings." Inside Settings, click "Billing" in the left-hand menu. Click "Add payment method," enter your credit or debit card details, and click "Submit"
3After your card is added, you’ll see a "Add to credit balance" option on the Billing page. Add $5 in credits to start. Then look for the "Auto recharge" toggle (just below the credit balance section) and turn it on — set it to automatically add funds when your balance drops below a threshold, so your study sessions aren’t interrupted
4Now navigate to the "API keys" section. In the left sidebar, click "API keys" (it has a key icon). On that page, click the green "+ Create new secret key" button near the top-right
5A dialog box will appear. Type a friendly name like "PhlebBot" in the Name field so you remember what this key is for. Leave the other settings at their defaults and click the "Create secret key" button
6Your new secret key will be displayed in a pop-up box. This is the only time you’ll ever see this key, so click the copy icon (the small clipboard icon) to copy it immediately. If you lose it, you’ll need to create a new one
7Head to PhlebBot, open Settings (click your profile icon in the top-right corner, then select "Settings"), paste your key into the "API Key" field, and choose "OpenAI" from the provider dropdown. Click Save and you’re ready to go!

Get API Key →

Anthropic (Claude)

Highest quality

Get API Key →

Credit card

Required

Estimated cost

~$1-4/month

Key format

sk-ant-...

New accounts may receive $5 in free credits.

After adding your card, go to Settings → Billing and purchase $5 in credits to get started. We recommend turning on auto top-up so your training sessions aren’t interrupted when credits run low.

Strengths

Best-quality explanations and feedback
Excellent at following training instructions precisely
Strong on safety-critical content with accurate citations

Trade-offs

Slower responses
Most expensive of the three options

Step-by-step instructions

1Go to console.anthropic.com/settings/keys and create an account using your email address (this is console.anthropic.com — the developer dashboard, not the regular Claude chat app at claude.ai)
2Once logged in, click "Settings" in the left sidebar (it has a gear icon near the bottom). Inside Settings, click "Billing" from the left-hand menu. Click "Add payment method," enter your credit or debit card details, and save
3After your card is on file, you’ll see a "Buy credits" or "Add credits" button on the Billing page. Purchase $5 in credits to start — this will last several weeks of typical PhlebBot study sessions
4While you’re still on the Billing page, look for the "Auto top-up" or "Auto recharge" toggle and turn it on. Set it to automatically add credits when your balance drops below a threshold so you don’t run out mid-session
5Now click "API Keys" in the left sidebar (still inside Settings). You’ll see a page listing any existing keys. Click the "Create Key" button (usually a prominent button near the top-right of the keys list)
6A dialog will appear asking you to name your key. Type something memorable like "PhlebBot" and click "Create Key." Your new API key will be displayed in a pop-up — click the copy icon next to it right away, because you won’t be able to view the full key again after closing this dialog
7Head to PhlebBot, open Settings (click your profile icon in the top-right corner, then select "Settings"), paste your key into the "API Key" field, and choose "Anthropic" from the provider dropdown. Click Save and you’re all set!

Get API Key →

Don't have a PhlebBot subscription yet?

PhlebBot is $30 for 3 months or $15/month, cancel anytime. The instructor AI is included; connecting your own key is optional and typically runs $1-5/month.

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Common Questions

Can I switch AI providers later?

Yes. Go to Settings, clear your current key, and enter a new one from a different provider.

Will I be charged by PhlebBot AND the AI provider?

No. The PhlebBot subscription ($30 for the 3-month Exam Pass, or $15/month) includes the AI instructor. Connecting your own AI key is optional; if you do, that provider bills you separately for usage, typically $1–5/month.

What if I run out of AI credits?

PhlebBot will show an error when you try to send a message. Just add funds to your provider account to continue.

Is my data shared with the AI provider?

Your training conversations are sent to the AI provider to generate responses, but most providers do not use API data to train their models. Check each provider’s data policy for details.

Ready to start training?

Once you have your API key, head to Settings and paste it in.

Common Questions

Can I switch AI providers later?

Yes. Go to Settings, clear your current key, and enter a new one from a different provider.

Will I be charged by PhlebBot AND the AI provider?

What if I run out of AI credits?

PhlebBot will show an error when you try to send a message. Just add funds to your provider account to continue.

Is my data shared with the AI provider?

Your training conversations are sent to the AI provider to generate responses, but most providers do not use API data to train their models. Check each provider’s data policy for details.