API Keys - The Simple Explanation
What an API key is, how it connects Solon to AI providers, and why bringing your own key keeps your costs 100% under your control.
Think of an API key like a password that lets your app use an AI service.
For example, if Solon uses OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google Gemini, that company needs to know who is making the request and who should pay for it. The API key is what tells them that.
The API key is what allows Solon to talk to the AI provider on your behalf.
The 5 Layers (Like Ordering Food)
Think of it like ordering delivery from a restaurant:
Why We Let You Provide Your Own API Key
Instead of Verantu managing everyone's AI usage, you can bring your own API key.
This is better for us because if Verantu paid for everyone's AI usage, we would have to manage everyone's costs. As the number of users grows, that could become very expensive.
With your own API key, you control your own AI usage and costs. Verantu doesn't have to pay for every question you ask, and we never add any middleman markup on your tokens.
It's similar to bringing your own electricity meter: you use the service, and your own account handles the usage.
Your API key is private. Treat it like a password. Don't share it with other people or commit it to GitHub. Solon stores your key securely on your local computer.
Where to Get API Keys from AI Providers
Free generous tier with Gemini 3.1 Pro & 3.6 Flash. Ideal for massive matter bundles and document discovery.
aistudio.google.com →Claude Sonnet 5 & Opus 4.6. Gold standard for legal reasoning, precision contractual drafting, and redlining.
console.anthropic.com →GPT-5.5 & GPT-5.6 Terra. Structural document generation, complex table schedules, and damages calculations.
platform.openai.com →DeepSeek V4 Pro, Qwen 3.8-Max, and open-weights models. Cost-effective batch analysis and custom pipelines.
openrouter.ai →Ready to connect your key and start drafting?
Follow our step-by-step field guide to install Solon on Windows and configure your Microsoft Word sidecar.