Bring Your Own API Key
Use your own Claude, Gemini, or OpenAI key for the strongest models and unlimited daily transformations.
Strongest models
BYOK auto-selects the most powerful model from your provider: Opus, GPT-5-mini, or Gemini 3.1 Pro.
Caching still works
Your transformed cards are cached and shared. Repeat reviews are instant and free.
Key stays private
Your API key is sent over HTTPS and never stored on our servers. It passes through for the LLM call only.
Setup in 3 steps
Get an API key from your provider
Open AnkiAscend Settings in Anki
Go to Tools → AnkiAscend → Settings. In the Account tab, scroll to the “Bring Your Own API Key” section.
Select your provider and paste your key
Choose your provider from the dropdown, paste your API key, and click OK. Your next card review will use the stronger model automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a license key?
Yes. You still need an email and license key (the free tier is fine). This is how we identify you for caching, feedback, and analytics.
Is my API key stored anywhere?
No. Your key is sent in the request body over HTTPS, used for a single LLM call, and immediately discarded. We never log or persist it.
Which model will be used?
The strongest available for your provider: Claude Opus 4.6, GPT-5-mini, or Gemini 3.1 Pro. You cannot select a weaker model via BYOK.
Do I still get daily limits?
No. BYOK users bypass the daily quota entirely since you are paying for your own API usage. Rate limiting still applies for abuse prevention.
Can I switch back to the free tier?
Yes. Just set the provider back to "None" in your AnkiAscend settings. You will return to the standard models with daily limits.
Don't have an API key? AnkiAscend works great on the free tier too.