API Keys / BYOK: Provider Keys vs. Platform Defaults

Platform Keys vs. BYOK Explained #

Our platform provides two ways to power your AI voice agents:

1. Platform Default Keys: We provide built-in API keys for standard AI models and voice services. You pay a single subscription fee without needing direct developer accounts with OpenAI, Deepgram, or ElevenLabs.
2. Bring Your Own Key (BYOK): On eligible subscription plans, you can plug in your own API keys directly from AI providers (OpenAI, Deepgram, ElevenLabs, Gemini, Anthropic, Cartesia, Grok, DeepSeek). You pay the providers directly for raw API consumption.

When Do You Need Your Own Key? #

You need your own API key if:

• Your plan explicitly requires BYOK for specific providers.
• You choose a provider or model that requires custom API access (e.g., custom voice clones in ElevenLabs or specific Advanced V3 models).
• You want dedicated API rate limits or direct billing with OpenAI/Deepgram.

Adding & Validating API Keys #

1. Navigate to Integrations -> AI Credentials in your sidebar (/dashboard/api-keys).
2. Locate the target provider (e.g., OpenAI, Deepgram, ElevenLabs, Twilio).
3. Enter your API key / secret credential into the input field.
4. Click Validate & Save Key.
5. The system performs an instant live API test (e.g., fetching model list or account status) to verify validity.

Important Rules for BYOK #

• No Silent Fallback: If you configure a custom user API key and that key becomes invalid or runs out of credits, the system will fail closed with a notification rather than silently billing platform keys.
• Key Security: All API keys are encrypted at rest in the database using strong encryption algorithms.

Related Articles #

• Creating Your First Agent
• Webhooks & API Access Basics