Use your own API key with a Zapier Chatbot

Beta

This product is in open beta. It’s available for use but still in active development and may change.

Zapier Chatbots can use OpenAI's GPT-4o mini (the default) and GPT-4.1 mini models. You can add your own API key from your OpenAI account to use other OpenAI models. 

Before you get started

You do not need a paid ChatGPT account to get your own OpenAI API key, but you must:

• Have a payment method on your OpenAI account. Any usage will be charged to your OpenAI account.
• Create a secret key following OpenAI's instructions. 

Connect your OpenAI account

To create a connection using your own OpenAI secret key:

1. From your Chatbots home, click the name of the chatbot.
2. In the Instructions tab, scroll down to the AI Model section.
3. Click the link Manage authentication under the OpenAI authentication field.
   1. A new window/tab will open. Click Add connection.
   2. Paste your OpenAI API key in the field provided.
   3. Click Yes, Continue.

Once you select a connection, the Model dropdown menu will display the models available for your account. The model selection may not reflect what you see on your OpenAI account, as not all models are available through an API. 

Note

• Currently, chatbots can only use OpenAI API keys. Submit a feature request to help Zapier understand what other models would be most helpful for you in the future.
• If you connect your API key and use the models available, you will be charged for end-user chatbot usage through your OpenAI account accordingly.

Provide feedback and get help

Submit a feature request, provide feedback on existing features, or get help from the Zapier Chatbots team.