> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tmniche-docs.keywordrush.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tmniche-docs.keywordrush.com/account-and-licensing/byo-api-key.md).

# Premium models (BYO API key)

**This is completely optional.** By default, Too Much Niche generates everything with its own managed AI (**Too Much Niche AI**) — no API key, and the AI costs are fully covered by your subscription. You only need this page if you want to generate with **higher-quality models** using your own OpenAI or Claude key.

{% hint style="info" %}
Bringing your own key is available on the **Growth** and **Agency** tiers.
{% endhint %}

## Why bring your own key?

* **Higher quality** — generate with **Advanced** or **Premium** models.
* **More articles** — articles generated with your key cost **½ credit** each, so your monthly allowance goes twice as far.

## You choose a quality, not a model

In **AI Settings** you pick a provider and a **quality level** — not a specific model:

* **Advanced** — a stronger writing model; recommended for most plans and articles.
* **Premium** — a frontier-grade model for every plan and article (highest provider cost).

Behind each level, TMN uses the latest models (Opus / Sonnet, or the latest GPT) with an optimal mix of model and reasoning effort — the best quality without wasting tokens.

## You pay your provider directly

With your own key, your AI usage is billed by **OpenAI or Anthropic directly**, at their rates. TMN doesn't charge for it — the ½-credit cost is simply how it counts against your monthly limit.

## Security

Your API key is stored **encrypted** in WordPress. It's sent securely to the Too Much Niche server **only while a generation job is running**, and the server **purges it the moment the job completes**.

## Set it up

Open **Too Much Niche → AI Settings**:

1. Choose your **AI provider** — *Too Much Niche AI* (default, included), *My OpenAI API key*, or *My Claude API key*.
2. For OpenAI or Claude, **paste your API key** — create one in the [OpenAI dashboard](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys) or the [Anthropic Console](https://console.anthropic.com/settings/keys). TMN validates it with the provider and stores it encrypted.
3. Pick your **AI quality** — Advanced or Premium.

New plans and articles then generate with your key.

![AI Settings — provider, API key, and quality](/files/ZHHg9J7U5NQdHQFb3yTM)

## Next

* [**Plans & limits**](/account-and-licensing/plans-and-limits.md) — how credits and limits work.


---

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