# Bring your own keys (BYOK)

> Use your own provider API key in five steps: open the agent panel, switch to BYOK, pick a provider, paste your key, and start prompting. Keys stay in your browser; calls go direct to the provider.

*Source:* https://recense.ai/docs/bring-your-own-keys

## Before you start

- An account with one of the supported providers and a valid API key.
- Sufficient credit on the provider account for the work you plan to do.

## Supported providers

- Anthropic (Claude models)
- OpenAI (GPT models)
- Google (Gemini models)
- Fireworks AI (Kimi, DeepSeek, GLM, Llama and other open-source models)

## Setup

1. **Open the AI Agent panel (sidebar).** — The agent panel is accessible from the main sidebar.
2. **Switch Mode to BYOK.** — This enables direct provider connections.
3. **Choose a provider.** — Select Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, or Fireworks.
4. **Paste your API key.** — Recense saves it as you type.
5. **Choose a model and start chatting.** — The model picker shows models available from the selected provider.

## How key storage works

- Keys are stored in your browser, encrypted at rest.
- Keys persist across sessions on the same device.
- Keys do not sync between devices — add the key on each machine separately.

## Practical notes

- Each provider has its own stored key — switching providers doesn't clear other keys.
- The model picker updates based on the selected provider.
- If the chat looks unavailable with a key present, verify you're in BYOK mode (not Built-in).

## Next steps

- **[Use the built-in agent](/docs/hosted-agent)** — Skip the key — use the built-in agent on Pro or Starter.
- **[Agent recipes](/docs/agent-recipes)** — Prompts that work well across providers.
- **[Connect MCP clients](/docs/mcp-setup)** — Drive the same agent from Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or ChatGPT.
- **[Security and privacy](/docs/security-and-privacy)** — How keys and conversations flow in BYOK mode.