Which AI key do I need, and where do I add it?

An API key is a long code from your AI provider that lets InstantDM send your followers’ messages to that AI and get answers back, billed to your provider account.

Before you start

• Create an API key in your AI provider’s developer account and add billing there.
• Supported providers: OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini) and DeepSeek.
• The key is used by the AI Reply step in Flow Automation, which needs Trendsetter and above.

Steps

1. Click Account Settings at the bottom of the left sidebar.
2. Click the AI Configuration tab. It says “API keys for AI providers used by the AI Reply node in your flows.”
3. Paste your key into the card for your provider:
   • OpenAI (key starts with sk-...)
   • Anthropic (starts with sk-ant-...)
   • Google (Gemini) (starts with AIza...)
   • DeepSeek (starts with sk-...)
4. Click Save at the top right of the Settings window.
5. Click Check Status. Each card shows a status (see the table).
6. In your flow, open the AI Reply step and choose the same provider under Provider. There, Anthropic is listed as Claude and Google as Gemini.

What the status means

Status	Meaning	What to do
● Active	The key works. For Anthropic this also means the account can be billed. For OpenAI, Gemini and DeepSeek it only means the key is valid	If the AI doesn’t reply, check your balance with the provider
● Invalid Key	The provider rejected the key	Copy the key again, paste, Save
● No Credits	No funds on the account (Anthropic and DeepSeek only)	Add funds with the provider
● No Credits / Rate Limited	No funds, or the provider is slowing the key down	Add funds or wait
● error_… or ● connection_error	Another problem	Try again later

Which key for which job

• The AI Reply step uses the key of the provider you pick in that step.
• Voice notes from customers are turned into text with your OpenAI key, or your Gemini key if you have no OpenAI key. This happens even if the AI Reply step uses Claude or DeepSeek. Without either key, the AI asks the person to type instead.
• Photos sent in earlier messages are remembered with a short description made with your OpenAI or Gemini key.

On the phone app

You can’t add AI keys in the InstantDM app. Use the web app at app.instantdm.com.

Good to know

• You pay your AI provider for every AI reply, follow-up, voice-note transcription and photo description. InstantDM can’t show this cost. Check your provider’s billing page.
• Check Status tests whatever is typed in the boxes, even if you haven’t saved it. Always click Save.
• One key per provider. There’s no field for an organisation ID or a custom server address.
• Keys belong to the account you’re in. If you manage several accounts, open AI Configuration in each account that needs AI.
• Treat your API key like a password. Don’t paste it into messages or AI instructions.

What you can’t do

• Use InstantDM’s own AI key for DM replies.
• Use providers other than OpenAI, Anthropic, Google (Gemini) and DeepSeek.
• Buy AI credits from InstantDM.

If it doesn’t work

• “AI API key missing” when you click Set Live → the key for the provider chosen in the AI Reply step isn’t saved. Paste it and click Save.
• ● Active, but the AI never replies → add funds with the provider. Then see AI replies to DMs.
• The AI ignores voice notes → you use Claude or DeepSeek without an OpenAI or Gemini key. Add one of those keys too.