# 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

1. Go to [platform.openai.com](https://platform.openai.com)
2. Click **Sign Up** (or **Log In**)
3. 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:

1. Go to **Settings** → **Billing**
2. Click **Add payment method**
3. Add a credit card
4. Click **Add to credit balance**
5. 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

1. Go to [platform.openai.com/api-keys](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys)
2. Click **Create new secret key**
3. Name it "Cuppa" (optional)
4. Click **Create secret key**
5. **Copy the key immediately** — you won't see it again!

Your key looks like: `sk-proj-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx`

***

### Step 4: Add Key to Cuppa

1. Log in to [app.cuppa.ai](https://app.cuppa.ai)
2. Go to **Team Settings** → **API Keys**
3. Find the **OpenAI** section
4. Paste your API key
5. Click **Save**

Cuppa will validate your key before saving.

***

### Verify It's Working

Test your connection:

1. Go to **Create Content** → **Single Generation**
2. Enter any keyword (e.g., "test article")
3. Select a GPT model
4. 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:

1. Go to **Team Settings** → **API Keys**
2. Click **Add Another Key**
3. Paste your additional key

***

### Protected Models

Some newer OpenAI models (GPT-5, o3-mini) require organization verification:

1. Go to [platform.openai.com/settings/organization](https://platform.openai.com/settings/organization)
2. Complete **Organization Verification**
3. 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:

1. Go to [platform.openai.com/usage](https://platform.openai.com/usage)
2. View daily and monthly spending
3. Set usage limits to prevent surprises

#### Setting Limits

Protect against unexpected costs:

1. Go to **Settings** → **Limits**
2. Set a **Monthly budget** (e.g., $50)
3. 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](https://status.openai.com) for outages
* Try a faster model (GPT-4o-mini)
* Reduce article length/complexity

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### 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](https://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