OpenAI API
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
| Model | Best For | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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:
| Tier | Requirement | 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
- Go to platform.openai.com/api-keys
- 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:
- Go to platform.openai.com/settings/organization
- 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:
- Go to platform.openai.com/usage
- 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