How to use your own AI key in WriteWithPaige

Step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Open “API Key & Models”

   Go to Settings (phone: “Open menu”, then “Settings”; computer: “Settings” in the left rail). Under “AI Settings”, tap “API Key & Models”. The “AI Settings” window opens.

2. 2

   Step 2: Choose a provider type

   Under “Use your own AI” there are two tabs. The first is for keys from the three providers it names on screen. The second, “Any other provider”, is for any provider with an OpenAI-compatible API.

3. 3

   Step 3: Paste your key (first tab)

   Paste the key into the box and tap “Save”. You see “Key validated successfully.” when it works. Then pick a “Writing Model” and an “Editing Model” from the lists, or type a model name in the custom box.

4. 4

   Step 4: Or fill in the form (second tab)

   Tap a preset under “Provider”, or “Other”. Check “API address (base URL)”, paste your “API key”, and type the exact “Model” name from your provider.

5. 5

   Step 5: Tap “Test & save”

   Paige sends a quick test. “It works. Saved: Paige will write with this provider.” means you are done. If it fails, the error shows in red under the button.

6. 6

   Step 6: Check the summary line

   The top of the window says “Writing with:” and names your key or provider and model. Close the window and write as usual.

Why use your own key

Most writers never need this. Paige is included in every plan. Your own key is for writers who already pay a provider, want to pick an exact model, or want more room on a paid plan.

Your own key is free to use on every plan, including Free. Usage is billed to your own account with that provider, not to WriteWithPaige.

Where your key is kept

“Your settings stay in this browser and go with each request. Your key is never saved on the server.”

That has two effects. Your key is private to this browser. And on a new phone, a different browser, or after clearing your browser data, you need to paste it again.

Every field, explained

Chat model vs editing model

Paige does two kinds of work. Writing is the prose you read: replies, new chapters, revisions. Editing is the work on your project: saving chapters, updating Story Bible entries, applying changes.

Pick your best writing model for the first, and a fast, cheaper model for the second. The editing model must support tool calling (a way for the model to take actions like “save this chapter”). If it doesn’t, chat may work but chapter and Bible changes will fail.

How your own key changes your allowance

On a paid plan, your key pays for the writing, so you get more room: a bigger daily allowance than your plan normally gives.

On Free, your own key does not change the free daily allowance.

While your key is saved, other writing models and credits are not used. Replies go through your provider instead.

Troubleshooting

• “Enter a model name to test.”: the “Model” box is empty. Copy the exact name from your provider’s model list.
• The test fails on the address: check it is https, public, and usually ends in /v1. Localhost and home-network addresses cannot be reached.
• The key is rejected: make sure you pasted the whole key with no space at the end, and that it still has credit with your provider.
• Chat works but chapters don’t save: your editing model probably does not support tool calling. Pick another one under “Use a different model for editing chapters”.
• “Saving here replaces your current key” (or “custom provider”): you can only have one key at a time. Saving on the other tab replaces it.
• It worked yesterday, now Paige writes herself again: you are probably on another browser or device, or your browser data was cleared. Paste the key again.

Questions