# Creating an API Key

An API Key is required to access Sumopod AI from the applications or tools you use.

## Steps

1. Open the **AI** menu on the Dashboard.
   ![The AI menu highlighted in the dashboard sidebar](https://kencana.basic.box.cloudeka.id/bucketku-f4kxct/sumopod-doc/Guides/01-ai/01-create-api-key/01-buka-menu-ai.png)
2. Select the **API Keys** tab.
   ![The API Keys tab, listing existing keys](https://kencana.basic.box.cloudeka.id/bucketku-f4kxct/sumopod-doc/Guides/01-ai/01-create-api-key/02-tab-api-keys.png)
3. Click **+ API Key**. If you don't have any AI Balance yet, a dialog asks you to top up first.
   ![The dialog asking you to top up AI Balance before creating an API Key](https://kencana.basic.box.cloudeka.id/bucketku-f4kxct/sumopod-doc/Guides/01-ai/01-create-api-key/03-dialog-perlu-ai-balance.png)
4. Enter a name (letters and numbers only, no spaces), optionally set a credit limit in USD (leave blank for unlimited), and optionally restrict which models the key can use.
   ![The Create a Key dialog with name, credit limit, and restrict-models fields](https://kencana.basic.box.cloudeka.id/bucketku-f4kxct/sumopod-doc/Guides/01-ai/01-create-api-key/04-dialog-create-a-key.png)
5. Click **Create**, then copy and save the key immediately, it starts with `sk-` and is shown only once.

## Notes
- You must have an **AI Balance** before you can create an API Key. Top up via the **Top up** button on the AI page first.
- AI usage is paid from a separate **AI Balance** (in USD), top up via the **Top up** button on the AI page, this is a different balance from the main Sumopod Credit used for VPS, Domain, and other services.
- Each key can have its own spending limit, useful for separating budgets between projects.
- Direct link: [AI](https://sumopod.com/dashboard/ai)