Using your own API keys
Good news to start with: you need nothing to get going. NerrieBuilder has AI built in, so you can immediately have it write text, build pages, and design your website or webshop. Every month you get a modest AI budget for this that is included automatically. For most people that is plenty to build happily.
Do you want to build a lot and never worry about that monthly budget? Then you can optionally add your own API key from an AI provider. An API key is a kind of personal password that connects your NerrieBuilder account to your own account with that AI provider. As soon as you add that key, your AI usage runs through your own account with the provider, without the NerrieBuilder budget limit. You then decide for yourself how much you use.
In short: without your own key you use NerrieBuilder's included budget. With your own key you build without limits on your own provider account. You choose.
Which AI providers are supported?
You only need one, whichever you prefer. All three work excellently:
- Claude (Anthropic) - this is the default experience in NerrieBuilder. anthropic.com
- OpenAI - the maker of the well-known GPT models. openai.com
- Google Gemini - Google's AI models. ai.google.dev
So you do not have to pick all three: just take one you already have an account with, or want to create one for. For each provider there is a dedicated step-by-step guide in this same help section that shows you exactly how to create a free account there and generate a key.
What about the photos?
For images you need to arrange nothing at all. NerrieBuilder automatically finds free, freely usable photos for you (via Openverse), and that needs no key whatsoever. It just works.
Do you want more choice and even nicer photos? Then you can optionally add your own key from one of these photo services:
- Pexels - free photos, generous free limits. pexels.com/api
- Unsplash - free high-quality photos, generous free limits. unsplash.com/developers
For these too you will find a separate guide per service in this help section.
Where do I add a key?
You manage all keys in one place in your account:
- Click top-right on your account/name.
- Go to Settings.
- Open the "AI" tab. Both the AI keys and the Stock photo keys are together there.
- Paste your key into the correct field.
- Click "Test" to check that it works.
- Click "Save". Done.
Is that safe?
Yes. Your key is stored encrypted and never shown in full again after saving. Treat a key like a password: keep it secret and share it with no one. You can delete or replace a key at any time from that same AI tab. Delete it? Then your AI usage simply falls back on NerrieBuilder's included budget. So you are never locked in.
What does it unlock?
With your own AI key you build without NerrieBuilder's monthly budget getting in the way, on your own provider account. With your own photo key you get more choice and variety in the images on your site.
Done! You do not have to do anything if you just want to build. And if you want more, pick one AI provider, follow its guide, and paste your key on the AI tab. It really is that simple.