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Note: AI integrations are available on the Builder plan and above. If you’re on the Free plan, you need to upgrade your app to use backend functions and payment features.

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Part 1: The AI provider’s side

If you already have your secrets or API keys, you can skip ahead to “The Base44 side” setup
1

Visit your AI provider’s developer portal

  1. Open your provider’s developer portal in a new browser tab
    API keys page in the OpenAI platform with no keys yet and a Create new secret key button

    The API keys page in the OpenAI platform

    We’re using OpenAI for this example and their developer portal is at: https://platform.openai.com
  2. Log in or create a new account
  3. Go to the API keys section
2

Enable API access if needed

  1. Go to your provider’s billing or payment section.
    Billing overview in the OpenAI platform showing remaining credit and an Add payment details button

    Adding payment details in OpenAI

    To obtain and utilize an OpenAI API key, a paid account is required. While creating an OpenAI account is free, using the API necessitates funding the account with a credit balance or having a billing method on file. OpenAI operates on a pay-per-use model for its API services, where charges are incurred based on the actual usage of the models.
  2. Add a valid payment method such as a credit card or PayPal.
  3. (Optional) Set up a spending limit to control costs.
    Usage page in the OpenAI platform with the monthly budget and an Edit budget link outlined

    Setting a monthly budget in OpenAI

  4. Make sure your account has active credits if your provider requires it.
3

Create a new API key

  1. In your provider’s API keys section, click Create new API key
    OpenAI dialog for creating a new API key, with name, project and permission options

    Creating a new secret key

    Note: The button text may be different across providers. Sometimes it may be called “Create new secret”
  2. Copy the generated key immediately because you may not be able to see it again.

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Part 2: The Base44 side

1

Go to the Base44 integration catalog

  1. Go to Base44 and click Integrations.
    Base44 home prompt page with Integrations outlined in the top navigation

    Opening the integrations catalog

    Make sure you’re logged into Base44 to view the Integrations catalog page
  2. Use the search bar or scroll to find your AI provider.
  3. Select your AI provider and click Use this integration. (In this example we are using OpenAI.)
    OpenAI Text to Image page in the Base44 catalog with the Use this integration button outlined

    The OpenAI Text to Image integration

2

Add your API key to Base44

  1. Type out your app idea inside the AI chat box
  2. Paste the key when prompted
    OpenAI image integration setup with a field to enter the API key

    Entering your OpenAI API key

    Example: For OpenAI you might see: OPENAI_API_KEY
Optional: You can save your key securely in Dashboard → Secrets so you can reuse it later.
Important: Never paste API keys into public code, visible components, or prompts.
3

Tell the AI what to do

  1. Once your app has been created, in the Base44 chat, describe the task you want the AI to perform
    AI chat beside a study app with an AI prompt field and a Generate Image button

    Asking the AI chat to generate an image

  2. Base44 creates the backend and frontend components for you.
  3. You can improve the AI’s behavior with follow-up prompts.
4

Test your AI integration

  1. Try your AI feature with test inputs or example prompts.
    Study app showing an AI-generated illustration above the prompt that produced it

    A generated image in the finished app

  2. Check the AI’s output.
  3. Experiment with different styles, tones, or examples until it works the way you want.
When running tests, do not paste real customer data. Use sample or dummy content.
5

Go live

Once everything works:
  • Preview your app on different devices
  • Deploy it and share with others
  • Monitor your API usage in your provider’s dashboard

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Recap

What you did (no coding required)
  • Selected an AI provider for your use case.
  • Connected it securely with an API key.
  • Let Base44 handle the backend setup.
  • Used prompts to design your AI’s behavior.
  • Tested and launched your AI-powered app.
You now have a working AI integration. You can repeat these steps for any provider that uses API keys, not just OpenAI.

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FAQ

You can still connect it with help from the Base44 AI. The process is a little more manual, but the AI guides you step by step.Say: "Use the provider “[provider name]”. I have an api key. Help me connect it and create a simple test. Ask me for the details you need."Keep your API key somewhere safe until the AI asks for it. You also need a few details from your provider’s documentation.
Some important requirements for manual setup
Your provider needs to offer a standard online API that works over https (often called a “REST API”). This means:
  • A web address (URL) where Base44 can send requests.
  • An API key for authentication.
    Instructions from the provider on what information to send and how it should be formatted.
  • Details on how the provider sends responses back, ideally in a format like JSON (a common way to send structured text).
Store it in Base44’s Secrets section or a password manager. Never share it in public code, screenshots, or chat messages.
Your AI integration stops working until you add more credits or update your billing settings with the provider.
No. You can set everything up by following the steps in the guide and writing prompts in plain language.
Yes. You can connect to a different provider at any time. You need to add the new API key in Base44 and may need to update your prompts or components so they work with the new provider’s API.
Most AI providers let you set spending limits or usage caps in your account’s billing settings. You can also monitor your usage in their dashboard. For testing, try shorter prompts or smaller requests to keep costs low. Keep in mind that each provider’s cost controls work a little differently, so it’s a good idea to check their help docs.
Make your prompt more specific. Include clear instructions, important context, and examples of what you want. If possible, tell the AI what not to include. You can also try switching to a different model if your provider offers one that is more focused on accuracy. If the problem continues, share the prompt and response with the Base44 AI and ask it to help troubleshoot step by step.“If you get stuck, paste your prompt and the AI’s response into the Base44 chat and say ‘help me troubleshoot this step by step.’”
Yes. You can add multiple integrations in Base44, you would just need to make sure you specify which provider is used for which function