API Key Setup
How to Get Your API Key (in About 2 Minutes)
A Plain-English setup guide for the free tools.
The Listing & Compliance Co-Pilot - The Deal Screener
The tools
Our free tools run on your own API key. That's the whole idea: you bring your own engine, you own what you use, and there's no subscription to us — ever. The few pennies of usage go straight to the AI provider, never to AI Powered Assets.
If the words "API key" make your eyes glaze over, relax. An API key is just a password that lets a tool talk to an AI engine on your behalf. Getting one takes about two minutes, and you only do it once. If you can copy and paste, you can do this.
You can use any one of three providers: ChatGPT (OpenAI), Claude (Anthropic), or Manus. Pick one and follow that section.
Which one should I pick?
For these tools — writing listings, screening deals — ChatGPT (OpenAI) or Claude (Anthropic) are the simplest and cheapest choices. Either works great. About $5 of prepaid credit will run these tools a very long time.
Manus also works, but it's a different animal — a full autonomous "agent" with its own credit system. It's more powerful than these simple tools need, and costs more per use. New Manus accounts do get free daily credits, so it's worth knowing about — but if you just want the fastest, cheapest path, go with OpenAI or Claude.
Option A — ChatGPT (OpenAI)
Heads-up: A ChatGPT Plus subscription ($20/mo) does not include API access. The API is a separate product. You'll set it up at a different website than the one you chat on.
1. Go to the API platform. Open platform.openai.com (this is separate from chatgpt.com). Click Sign up — or log in if you already have an account. You can use email or a Google/Microsoft/Apple login. You'll verify your email and a phone number.
2. Add a little credit. In Settings → Billing, add a small prepaid balance — $5 is plenty and lasts a long time at pennies per use. While you're there, set a monthly spending limit so there are never surprises. (Keys won't work until there's a balance on the account.)
3. Create the key. Go to Settings → API keys (or platform.openai.com/api-keys). Click Create new secret key, give it a name you'll recognize like ["Placeholder,"] and click Create.
4. Copy it immediately. OpenAI shows the key only once. It starts with sk-. Copy it and paste it somewhere safe right now. If you lose it, no problem — just delete it and make a new one.
5. Paste it into the tool (see "Plugging It In" below).
Option B — Claude (Anthropic)
Heads-up: Your Claude API key lives at console.anthropic.com, which is separate from the claude.ai chat site. A Claude Pro subscription does not include API access.
1. Go to the console. Open console.anthropic.com and click Sign up — or log in. You can use email or a Google login.
2. Add a little credit. Go to Settings → Plans & Billing and click Add to credit balance. $5 is plenty to start, and it unlocks normal usage limits. Set a monthly spending limit while you're there.
3. Create the key. Go to Settings → API Keys (or console.anthropic.com/settings/keys). Click Create Key, give it a name like "[Placeholder,"] and confirm.
4. Copy it immediately. Anthropic shows the key only once. It starts with sk-ant-. Copy it and store it somewhere safe. Lost it? Just delete that key and create a fresh one.
5. Paste it into the tool (see "Plugging It In" below).
Option C — Manus
Good to know: Manus is an autonomous AI agent with a credit-based system rather than simple pay-per-use. New accounts currently get free bonus credits plus daily free credits, so you can usually start without paying — but it's heavier and pricier per use than OpenAI or Claude for these particular tools.
1. Create your account. Go to manus.im and sign up or log in. There's no waitlist.
2. Open the developer platform. Head to open.manus.im, the API/developer area where keys and documentation live.
3. Generate an API key. In the dashboard, create a new API key and give it a name like "[Placeholder.]"
4. Copy it and store it safely, just like a password.
5. Paste it into the tool (see "Plugging It In" below).
Plugging It In
Once you have your key copied:
Open the free tool here on the site.
When prompted, paste your API key into the API key field.
That's it — you're live. The tool remembers it for next time when you're logged in.
A Few Quick Safety Notes
Treat your key like a password. Anyone who has it can use your credits. Don't post it publicly or email it around.
Set a spending limit. Both OpenAI and Anthropic let you cap monthly spend. Do it once and forget about runaway costs.
You're always in control. You can delete a key and generate a new one anytime, from the same place you created it. If a key ever stops working or you think it's exposed, just delete it and make a fresh one.
What does it actually cost? For these tools, pennies. A typical listing or deal screen costs a tiny fraction of a cent. That $5 starter balance goes a very, very long way.
Still stuck? That's what we're here for. Reach out and we'll walk you through it — getting set up should take minutes, not headaches.
