# Can I use my own AI provider key?

How to connect your own OpenRouter key so a workspace's AI model usage is billed to your account, and what changes when you do.

A workspace normally uses its Bluedeer plan for AI model usage. You can connect your own OpenRouter key instead. Then the AI model usage in that workspace is billed to your OpenRouter account and no longer counts against the plan. Web search and voice transcription still use the plan, and the workspace still needs its plan. In a personal workspace, your own key needs the Pro plan or higher.

## Connect a key in your personal workspace

1. Open the account menu at the bottom of the sidebar, then select **Manage workspace**.
2. Select **AI provider key**.
3. Choose what happens if the key stops working. **Stop and show an error** fails each message with an explanation until the key works again, and takes nothing from the plan's usage. **Use the plan's usage instead** keeps messages working, counted against the plan's usage, until the key works again.
4. Connect the key in one of two ways:
   - **Sign in with OpenRouter**: approve Bluedeer at OpenRouter, and it creates a key for this workspace. There is nothing to copy.
   - **Paste a key**: paste an OpenRouter key into the **OpenRouter key** box, then select **Save key**. Bluedeer checks the key with OpenRouter before it saves it, and never shows it again.

## Connect a key in a team workspace

Only the team's owner and admins can connect or change the key. Open the team's **Workspace** page, select **Settings**, then select **AI provider key**. Everyone in the team uses the key, and it does not apply to anyone's personal workspace.

## Replace, check or remove the key

- **Check now** checks the key with OpenRouter again.
- **Replace key** opens a box for a new key. The new key takes over from the next message. The key in use stays until the new one is saved. Select **Keep this key** to close the box without changing it.
- **Remove key** asks you to confirm. From the next message, the workspace uses its Bluedeer plan again. Removing the key here does not revoke it at OpenRouter, so delete it there too if you no longer need it.

## If your plan drops below Pro

Your saved key is kept, but it is not used. The key shows **Not in use**, and the panel explains that your own key needs the Pro plan or higher. Select **Upgrade to use your own key** to use it again, or select **Remove key**.

For the plans, see [What each Bluedeer plan includes](https://support.bluedeer.ai/plans-and-billing/general/what-each-plan-includes.md).