How do I use my own AI API key with Lumstead?
Create a key in your AI provider’s developer account. In Lumstead, open Connections, select the provider and model, and save the key. That provider charges your API account for requests. The key belongs to your Lumstead account, even if you share a household.
By the Lumstead team · Product previewDoes my ChatGPT subscription pay for these requests?
OpenAI manages ChatGPT and API billing separately. Check the balance and payment settings in your API account before using an OpenAI key. Lumstead cannot use your ChatGPT sign-in as a direct model connection. OpenAI’s billing guide
How do I check a key before using family records?
- Make a dedicated key for Lumstead. In Connections, open your provider, choose a model your account can use or enter its ID if prompted, enter the key, and choose Save and use connection.
- Run the connection check. If it fails, check the key, model ID, and API billing. A successful check confirms a connection. It does not tell you how well the model uses tools.
- Save a private sample note called “Practice list” with one item, “lemons.” Ask the assistant, “What is on my Practice list?” Check that it finds the note and answers “lemons” before using it with real records.
Put the key only in the connection form. Lumstead encrypts saved keys on the server. If you accidentally put a key in chat, a shared note, or a screenshot, revoke it at the provider and save a new key.
Where do I check what I spent?
With your own key, look in the provider’s usage dashboard. Your partner can use a different key. A budget alert may only send a notification, so check whether your provider actually stops requests at the limit you set.
Managed AI uses the household’s prepaid Lumstead balance instead. For example, if the provider reports a model cost of $1.00, the 10% service fee brings the balance deduction to $1.10. That fee applies to managed use. It does not apply to requests billed to your own key.