Connect an AI provider
Answer Desk does not write the answers itself: an AI provider does, using your account with them. You connect it by choosing the provider on Answer Desk > AI provider and pasting its API key in the Keys card.
What is an API key?
An API key is a long secret code, a bit like a password, that the AI company gives you. When your website sends a question to the AI, it shows this code so the company knows the request comes from your account and bills you for it.
- You pay the provider directly, usually a small amount per question. Most providers ask you to add a payment card or prepaid credit to your account before the key works.
- Keep it secret. Anyone who has your key can use your account and spend your credit. Do not send it by email or paste it in public places.
- Copy it straight away. Many providers show the full key only once, when you create it. If you lose it, create a new one.
- In Answer Desk the key is stored in your site's database and shown back as dots. It is only sent to that provider.
Which provider to choose
| Provider | Servers | Can also build the index? | Where to get the key |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT (OpenAI) | United States, with EU data residency available on request | Yes, same key | platform.openai.com/api-keys |
| Claude (Anthropic) | United States, with EU processing on enterprise plans | No, needs a second provider | console.anthropic.com/settings/keys |
| Gemini (Google) | United States and global Google infrastructure | Yes, same key | aistudio.google.com/app/apikey |
| Mistral (Mistral AI) | European Union, France | Yes, same key | console.mistral.ai/api-keys |
| OpenRouter | Depends on the model you pick | No, needs a second provider | openrouter.ai/keys |
If you have no reason to prefer one, start with ChatGPT: one key covers everything and its index is the cheapest. Choose Mistral if your data must be processed in the EU. Gemini has a free tier that lets you try the whole thing before paying.
Get the key
- Open the provider's key page from the table above (the same link is shown under each box in the Keys card).
- Create an account, or log in.
- Add billing or credit if the provider asks for it.
- Click the button to create a new key and copy it.
Set it up in WordPress
- Go to Answer Desk > AI provider.
- In the Who answers card, click the provider you chose.
- Leave Model on The recommended one unless you have a reason to change it.
- Click Save in that card. You see Provider saved.
- In the Keys card, paste the key in the row of the same provider.
- Click Save in the Keys card. You see Keys saved. The box now says A key is saved. Type a new one to replace it.
Each card on this screen has its own Save button. Save one card before editing the next. Leaving a key box empty never deletes a saved key. To remove a key, type the word remove in its box and save.
Using Claude or OpenRouter
Claude and OpenRouter cannot build the search index, so you need a key from a second provider for that part. The Who builds the index card on the same screen warns you when this applies.
- Get a key from Voyage AI at dashboard.voyageai.com/api-keys (the option Anthropic recommends), or use a ChatGPT, Gemini or Mistral key.
- Paste it in the matching row of the Keys card and click Save.
- In Who builds the index, set Index provider to that provider and click Save.
More on this in Build the index.
A model that is not in the list
If your provider releases a new model, type its exact name in Or a model name of your own and save. It is used instead of the list. Leave this empty if you are not sure.
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