How to Use Your Own API Keys (BYOK) with KiwiClaw

Introduction

KiwiClaw's BYOK (Bring Your Own Keys) plan costs $15/mo and lets you use your own API keys from any supported LLM provider. This gives you direct control over which models you use, how much you spend on API calls, and ensures your API traffic goes directly to the provider without passing through KiwiClaw's LLM proxy.

Prerequisites

• A KiwiClaw account
• API keys from one or more supported providers: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google (Gemini), Mistral, or others
• A payment method for the $15/mo hosting fee

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sign Up and Choose BYOK

Create your account at app.kiwiclaw.app and select the BYOK ($15/mo) plan during onboarding.

Step 2: Enter Your API Keys

In the agent settings, enter your API keys. Your agent's configuration points directly at the upstream provider APIs -- your keys are injected as environment variables on your dedicated machine.

Step 3: Select Your Default Model

Choose which model your agent uses by default. You can configure the model in your agent settings. Popular choices include GPT-4o, Claude Opus, Gemini Pro, and Mistral Large.

Step 4: Test the Connection

Send a test message to verify your API keys work correctly. If you get an error, check that your keys are valid and have sufficient credits with the provider.

Step 5: Monitor Your API Usage

Track your API usage through your provider's dashboard (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.). KiwiClaw's usage page shows message counts, but API costs are billed directly by your provider.

Pro Tips

• Set spending limits -- Configure spending limits on your provider account to avoid unexpected bills.
• Use different models for different tasks -- Use cheaper models for simple tasks and premium models for complex ones.
• Compare to Standard -- If you spend more than $24/mo on API calls, the Standard plan ($39/mo with LLM included) might be more cost-effective.
• Multiple providers -- You can configure multiple API keys and switch between providers as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which LLM providers does BYOK support?

BYOK supports OpenAI, Anthropic, Google (Gemini), Mistral, and any provider compatible with the OpenAI API format. Your API traffic goes directly to the provider -- KiwiClaw does not proxy or intercept BYOK API calls.

Is BYOK cheaper than the Standard plan?

It depends on your usage. BYOK costs $15/mo for hosting plus whatever you spend on API calls. If your monthly API costs are under $24, BYOK is cheaper. If they exceed $24, the Standard plan at $39/mo (LLM included) may be more cost-effective.

Can I switch from BYOK to Standard later?

Yes. You can switch plans at any time from your account settings. When you switch to Standard, your agent starts using KiwiClaw's managed LLM access instead of your API keys. No data is lost during the switch.