Connect your AI
Choose how this app uses your AI
Direct: you paste your own key into the app. The app uses your account. Nothing goes through Outlet.
Vault: you connect your account on Outlet once. Each app gets its own key with a cap. You can cut any app off.
Which key: the app's box wants your API key. Outlet's screen wants your admin key.
| Direct | Vault | |
|---|---|---|
| Choose it for | Using your own AI in this app. | Letting apps use your account without your keys. Approve each one's cap. Stop any one. |
| You provide | A Direct API key: a private code that lets the app use your AI. | A Vault admin key: a private code that lets Outlet manage app access. |
| Paste it | Into the app. | On Outlet. |
| Get it from | OpenAI: API keys. Anthropic: API keys. | OpenAI: Settings → Admin keys. Anthropic: Settings → Admin keys. |
Direct: Outlet checks your Direct API key’s format on your device and passes it to the app. Outlet never receives it. Direct is free forever. No Outlet account is needed.
Vault: Your Vault admin key stays encrypted in Outlet. The app receives its own Vault App key. Outlet uses your Vault admin key to set up Vault access, read spending and revoke Vault App keys.
For OpenAI, Outlet creates the Vault App key. On Anthropic, you create the Vault App key in the workspace shown on Outlet.
Vault needs the OpenAI organization owner role or the Anthropic organization admin role. Vault caps use delayed spend reports. Spending can exceed the Vault cap.
On OpenAI’s API keys page: choose Create new secret key, then Owned by: You. Service account changes who owns a Direct API key. It does not make a Vault admin key.
Building an app? Run the Direct starter.
When you choose Vault
Outlet opens a screen called Connect your AI.
Approve the app’s Vault access and cap.
OpenAI: Outlet creates the app’s Vault App key. Anthropic: create an API key in the workspace named on Outlet, then paste it into Outlet as the Vault App key.
Plugged in.
The app works on your account. You can close the window.
In your Anthropic or OpenAI website
Each Vault connection has a project or workspace named Outlet · followed by the app’s name. OpenAI shows a service account for the app. Its Vault App key lets the app use AI. Your Vault admin key stays with Outlet.
How do I connect to AI?
Open Connect your AI in the app. Choose Direct to paste a Direct API key into the app. Choose Vault to connect on Outlet with a Vault admin key. The app decides which modes it offers.
What is Outlet?
Outlet connects apps to your AI account. Direct uses your Direct API key in the app. Vault gives each app its own Vault App key and lets you manage Vault access on Outlet.
Is Outlet safe?
Outlet never sees your prompts or answers. The app calls your provider directly. Outlet never receives your Direct API key. Your Vault admin key stays encrypted in Outlet and is never given to apps.
What is a Vault App key?
A Vault App key lets one app use AI in your account. You approve its Vault cap and can revoke its Vault access on Outlet.
What is a Vault cap?
The app’s approved monthly spending amount in Vault. Outlet reads provider spend reports and revokes the Vault App key when the cap is reached. Reports can arrive late. Spending can exceed the Vault cap.
How do I stop an app?
Direct: delete the Direct API key on your provider’s API keys page. Vault: revoke the app’s Vault access on Outlet. Your other Vault connections stay connected.
How do I disconnect Outlet completely?
Disconnect the account on Outlet. Outlet revokes its Vault connections and deletes the saved Vault admin key.
Why does Vault need a Vault admin key?
Your Vault admin key lets Outlet manage app access in your account. Outlet uses it to set up Vault connections, read spending and revoke Vault App keys. Apps never receive your Vault admin key.
How is my Vault admin key kept safe?
- Stored
- Your Vault admin key is stored encrypted in Outlet. It is unlocked when Outlet needs to manage a Vault connection.
- Shown
- Never. Not on a screen, not in a log, not to an app.
- Used for
- Set up Vault connections. Read spending. Revoke Vault App keys when you ask or the Vault cap is reached.
- Guarded
- Your password stays with the sign-in provider. The human check runs before every approval.
- Logged
- Every sensitive action, with the time. Never the key.
- Deleted
- Your saved Vault admin key is deleted when you disconnect the account on Outlet.
Can I use my ChatGPT or Claude plan?
Not yet. Subscriptions aren’t keys yet. Their door, not ours. OpenAI has opened its door to some apps. Outlet connects Anthropic and OpenAI API accounts today. Those have their own balance, separate from a plan.