New to API keys?
What's an API key? A prepaid card for AI.
No tech skills needed. What it is, why BatchAI Local uses one, and how to get yours in about 2 minutes.
-
What it is
A secret code from Anthropic, OpenAI or Google. It lets BatchAI Local use their AI on your account. Like a prepaid card: you add credit, each batch uses a few cents.
-
-
Cheaper No markup, no subscription.
-
Private With your key, files go straight to the AI, never to us.
-
Your choice Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. Switch anytime.
Why BatchAI Local uses one
You pay the AI company directly, at its price, instead of a monthly subscription that resells it.
-
-
What $5 gets you
Credit only goes down when you run a batch. No monthly fee: top up when you want.
Get your key in 4 steps
-
Sign up with Anthropic, as on any website. platform.claude.com ↗ (opens in a new tab) Sign up with OpenAI, as on any website. platform.openai.com ↗ (opens in a new tab) Sign up with Google, as on any website. aistudio.google.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)
-
Click “Create key”, then copy it. platform.claude.com ↗ (opens in a new tab) Click “Create new secret key”, then copy it. platform.openai.com ↗ (opens in a new tab) Click “Create API key”, then copy it. aistudio.google.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)
-
Prepaid: $5 ≈ 15,000 pages with Claude Haiku 5.5. platform.claude.com ↗ (opens in a new tab) Prepaid: $5 ≈ 15,000 pages with GPT-6 Luna. platform.openai.com ↗ (opens in a new tab) Free tier (no billing): outside the EU, Switzerland and the UK, Google may use your files to improve its products, and reviewers may read them. Not for confidential documents. aistudio.google.com ↗ (opens in a new tab)
-
The app tests it in a second and confirms it works. Then run your batch. The app tests it in a second and confirms it works. Then run your batch. The app tests it in a second and confirms it works. Then run your batch.
About 2 minutes, once.
Your API key
Bring your own key. Pay for AI at cost.
You connect your own Anthropic, OpenAI or Google account. We sell the app once; your provider bills the AI.
-
AI at cost
No markup, no credits to buy from us. Often a few cents per batch.
-
The model you want
Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini. Switch anytime in Settings.
-
Your account, your terms
Files are processed under your own account. We never see your usage.
Stored locally on your device. Never sent to our servers.
- Encrypted in your system keychain (Windows Credential Manager or macOS Keychain).
- Read when a batch starts, sent only to its provider, over HTTPS.
- Your key never goes through a BatchAI server: nothing to log, nothing to leak.
Never used an API key? It takes about a minute.
What's an API key?Choose your AI
Takes about a minute.
- Anthropic Claude Recommended (opens in a new tab)
- OpenAI ChatGPT GPT models (opens in a new tab)
- Google Gemini With a Google account (opens in a new tab)
-
Add a little credit
Prepaid: $5 ≈ 15,000 pages with Claude Haiku 5.5.
-
Paste and test
Stored locally on your device. Never sent to our servers. In your system keychain. Only sent to api.anthropic.com.
Connected! Your key works.
Batches will use Claude Haiku 5.5.
ChatGPT Plus or Claude Pro is not an API key: API usage is billed separately.
Rather not use a key? Two options. BatchAI Cloud: AI included, 100 pages free during the trial, then from $29/month; your files go through our server in Europe and are never stored. Or a local model with a Pro or Team license (Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM): no account, no bill, nothing leaves your computer.
Next month's folder, done in minutes.
Free 3-day trial with everything in Essential and no file limit. Then a lifetime license from $79 with your own API key, or BatchAI Cloud from $29/month with the AI included.