OpenAI API
OpenAI API Setup
OpenAI API Setup
Connect your OpenAI API key to Cuppa to generate content using GPT models. This is required for all Cuppa users.
Why OpenAI?
OpenAI's GPT models power many of Cuppa's features:
Article generation (single and bulk)
Outline creation
Metadata generation
Content optimization
Even if you prefer other models (Claude, Grok), OpenAI is required for internal features.
Available Models
GPT-4o-mini
Bulk generation, drafts
Lowest
Fastest
GPT-4o
High-quality articles
Medium
Fast
GPT-4.1
Premium quality
Higher
Medium
o3-mini
Reasoning tasks
Medium
Medium
GPT-5
Latest capabilities
Higher
Medium
GPT-5.1
Latest capabilities
Higher
Medium
Recommendation: Start with GPT-4o-mini for testing, GPT-4o for production content.
Step 1: Create an OpenAI API Account
Go to platform.openai.com
Click Sign Up (or Log In)
Complete account verification
Note: This is different from ChatGPT. You need a separate API account.
Step 2: Add Payment & Credits
OpenAI API requires prepaid credits:
Go to Settings → Billing
Click Add payment method
Add a credit card
Click Add to credit balance
Start with $10-20 for testing
API Tiers
OpenAI has usage tiers that affect rate limits:
Free
New account
Very limited (won't work well)
Tier 1
$5+ spent
Good for single generation
Tier 2
$50+ spent
Recommended for Cuppa
Tier 3
$100+ spent
Best for heavy bulk generation
For bulk generation (10+ articles), Tier 2 is recommended.
Step 3: Generate Your API Key
Click Create new secret key
Name it "Cuppa" (optional)
Click Create secret key
Copy the key immediately — you won't see it again!
Your key looks like: sk-proj-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Step 4: Add Key to Cuppa
Log in to app.cuppa.ai
Go to Team Settings → API Keys
Find the OpenAI section
Paste your API key
Click Save
Cuppa will validate your key before saving.
Verify It's Working
Test your connection:
Go to Create Content → Single Generation
Enter any keyword (e.g., "test article")
Select a GPT model
Click Generate
If it works, you're all set!
Multiple API Keys (Business+)
On Business plans and higher, you can add multiple OpenAI keys for:
Faster bulk generation — parallel API calls
Higher rate limits — spread requests across keys
Redundancy — if one key hits limits, others continue
To add multiple keys:
Go to Team Settings → API Keys
Click Add Another Key
Paste your additional key
Protected Models
Some newer OpenAI models (GPT-5, o3-mini) require organization verification:
Complete Organization Verification
Wait for approval (usually 1-2 business days)
If a model isn't working, check if it requires verification.
Cost Management
Monitoring Usage
Track your API costs:
View daily and monthly spending
Set usage limits to prevent surprises
Setting Limits
Protect against unexpected costs:
Go to Settings → Limits
Set a Monthly budget (e.g., $50)
Set a Notification threshold (e.g., 80%)
Troubleshooting
"Invalid API key"
Check you copied the full key (starts with
sk-)Verify the key hasn't been deleted in OpenAI
Create a new key if unsure
"Insufficient quota" or "Rate limit"
Add more credits to your OpenAI account
Upgrade to Tier 2 ($50+ spent)
Wait a minute and try again
Use multiple API keys (Business+)
"Model not found"
Some models require organization verification
Check the model name is correct
Ensure your account has access to that model
"Free credits don't work"
OpenAI's free trial credits don't work with Cuppa. Add a payment method and prepay credits.
Generation takes too long
Check status.openai.com for outages
Try a faster model (GPT-4o-mini)
Reduce article length/complexity
FAQ
Is OpenAI API the same as ChatGPT Plus?
No. ChatGPT Plus ($20/month) is for the chat interface. The API is separate with pay-per-use pricing.
Why do I need OpenAI even with Claude?
Cuppa uses OpenAI for certain internal features (outline generation, SEO metadata). Your main article content can use any model.
How do I check my OpenAI tier?
Go to platform.openai.com/settings/organization/limits to see your current tier.
Can I use my employer's OpenAI account?
Yes, if you have access to create API keys. Just copy the key to Cuppa.
What if I run out of credits mid-generation?
The generation will fail. Top up your credits and retry — partial progress is usually saved.
Are my API keys secure?
Yes. Keys are encrypted at rest and never shared. You can revoke a key anytime from OpenAI.
Related Docs
Anthropic API Setup — Add Claude models
Perplexity API Setup — Enable auto-research
Team Settings — Manage your API keys
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