Short answer
Sign in to the OpenAI Platform, check you have credit under Billing, then open API keys and click Create new secret key. Copy it right away: OpenAI only shows it once. ChatGPT Plus or Pro doesn't include an API key.
How do I make an OpenAI API key?
On the OpenAI Platform, in four steps.
- Go to the OpenAI Platform and sign in or create an account.
- Open Settings → Billing and check that you have credit. If not, add some. The API is pay as you go, so start small, like $5. On ChatGPT Pro or an eligible Business plan? Claim your included API credits first (see below).
- Open API keys, click Create new secret key, and name it, for example "Catchr". You can ignore any other settings.
- Copy the key right away. OpenAI only shows it once.
How do I use the key in Catchr?
Choose ChatGPT, agree to what gets sent, then paste the key.
Open the Catchr extension and choose ChatGPT as your AI (in setup, or in Settings if you already use Catchr). Catchr shows what it will send to OpenAI. Click Use ChatGPT to agree. Chrome then asks to let Catchr read and change your data on api.openai.com. Click Allow. That only lets Catchr send your requests to OpenAI, and no other site. Then paste your key. Catchr checks it right away and shows Valid.
Does my ChatGPT subscription include an API key?
No. You need a separate OpenAI Platform account and key, even if you already pay for ChatGPT.
The ChatGPT app and the API are billed separately. ChatGPT Pro and eligible Business plans include monthly API credits you can claim in your billing settings. ChatGPT Plus doesn't. Details are in OpenAI's help article.
What does the OpenAI API cost?
You pay OpenAI for what you use, at its own prices. Catchr charges nothing.
Each use draws from the credit on your account. Current prices are on OpenAI's pricing page.
Where does my key go?
Your key is saved in your browser and sent only to OpenAI, never to us.
Common problems
Find the message Catchr showed you. The fix is next to it.
“Catchr needs your OK before sending your resume to ChatGPT. Open Settings (⚙️) to review what is shared.”
Open Settings, read what gets sent, and click Use ChatGPT. Or switch back to Gemini.
“Catchr needs your permission to use this AI provider. Open Settings (⚙️) and click Allow access.”
Catchr's access to OpenAI was turned off in Chrome. Open Settings and click Allow access, then Allow when Chrome asks. Your saved key stays in place.
“You’ve hit your provider’s rate limit or quota. Wait a moment, or check your plan and billing with your provider.”
Wait a moment and try again. If it keeps happening, check that your OpenAI account still has credit in its billing settings.
“That key was rejected. Double-check it.”
The AI company turned the key down when Catchr checked it. Make sure you copied the whole key, and that it's for the AI you picked: a Gemini key won't work for Claude.
“That API key looks invalid. Check it in your provider’s console, then update it in Settings (⚙️).”
Open Catchr's Settings, click Change next to your key and paste the full key again. Check that nothing was cut off at either end. Lost it? Make a new key where you made the first one.
Add to Chrome, it's free