AI 101

API key

Sketch: your app's secret code charges one coin from your jar; leaked on a public board, strangers drain the jar.

An API key is a long secret code that proves an app may use a service's API and charges the use to your account.

Think of it like this: It is a car key: anyone who holds it can drive, and spend your money. Keep it secret, cap spending and replace it if it leaks.

Source:

https://openrouter.ai/docs/api/reference/authentication (checked Oct 15, 2026)

RelatedAPI Metered API OAuthEnvironment variable

Used inAutomate tasks with AI agent workflows in n8n Autonomous coding agent that fixes GitHub issues Build a stateful, human-supervised agent with LangGraph Build and publish a small web app from a prompt with Bolt.new Code review agent for pull requests Environment variable Multi-agent content marketing pipeline with CrewAI Prototype a full-stack web app from a description with Lovable RAG knowledge-base Q&A agent for internal docs Social media monitoring and reply drafting agent