A CLODEX key is not a direct provider key
An API key is a secret that authenticates application requests. A CLODEX key works with the CLODEX endpoint. It is not an OpenAI or Anthropic key and is not intended for direct requests to their servers. You receive access through CLODEX, not another person’s account or a shared public credential.
One key does not mean every model uses the same protocol. Select a model and check its supported route before connecting. The LLM API overview explains multi-model access; this guide focuses on creating and securing credentials.
Create an AI API key in four steps
Creating a key does not prove that every model is enabled or that sufficient balance is available for generation. Check your key’s catalog and the applicable prices. Do not copy a model ID from someone else’s example without checking access.
- Create a CLODEX account or sign in to an existing one.
- Open API keys in the dashboard and select the create action. Give the key a recognizable name, such as backend-test.
- Configure the required restrictions under advanced settings: spending quota, expiration and allowed models. Keep development and production keys separate.
- Save the secret in your application’s protected configuration. Do not send it to support, include it in screenshots, commit it to Git or expose it in browser JavaScript.
Check the key and available models
Set CLODEX_API_KEY in your protected environment without putting its value in source code. The request below retrieves the model catalog; it does not generate a response to a prompt. Run it locally or on your server, not from a public web page.
A successful catalog response only verifies access to the catalog. Next, select a model ID from the response and make a short request using its documented route. Check the result and recorded usage before starting a batch job or coding agent.
curl --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --connect-timeout 10 --max-time 30 https://clodex.xyz/v1/models -H "Authorization: Bearer $CLODEX_API_KEY"Connect GPT, Claude and other models
For an OpenAI-compatible client, use https://clodex.xyz/v1 as the base URL with your CLODEX key. An Anthropic-compatible client uses https://clodex.xyz without a manually appended /v1: the SDK constructs the Messages API path. Setting names vary between applications.
Change both the key and the server address. Replacing only the key may send the secret to the wrong endpoint. Check streaming, tool use and optional parameters for the selected model; protocol compatibility does not automatically enable every feature.
Check usage costs before sending requests
When looking to buy an AI API key, distinguish obtaining credentials from paying for model usage. Request costs depend on the chosen model’s rate and billing unit. Creating several keys does not mean purchasing separate subscriptions for every model.
Compare input, output and cached-token rates or the published Fixed Usage rate. Check the balance and key quota before a paid request. Consult the pricing catalog for current amounts: this guide does not advertise a fixed price for a key or unlimited access.
Troubleshoot access or replace an exposed key
Send support the time, error code and a safe request identifier, never the secret or full Authorization header. A web chat and a developer API are different ways to use the service; do not paste an API key into a conversation.
- For authentication errors, check the server address, Authorization header, key status and expiration.
- If a model is unavailable, check the catalog and model restrictions for this specific key. Do not silently substitute another model.
- For request or spending limits, inspect the API response, balance and quotas instead of retrying indefinitely.
- After exposure, revoke the key, create a replacement, update the application and review usage. Deleting the secret from the latest file is not enough if it remains in history.
Frequently asked questions
Can one key access several AI models?
Yes, within the models and restrictions available to that key. Check the supported API route for each model separately.
Is this an official OpenAI or Anthropic API key?
No. This is a CLODEX credential for the CLODEX endpoint, not for direct calls to model owners’ servers.
Can I put the key in my website?
Do not expose the secret in browser code. The website should call your backend, where credentials and access controls remain private.
What should I do if a key is lost or exposed?
Revoke the compromised key, create a replacement and update the application. Review request history and usage.