How to set up your API keys

YouPush uses two AI services to do its work. You create free accounts with each provider, generate an API key, and paste it into YouPush. This page walks you through every step.

What are API keys and why do I need them?

An API key is like a password that lets YouPush talk to an AI service on your behalf. YouPush uses two services:

Whisper (by OpenAI) listens to your video's audio and converts it to a written transcript. This is how YouPush knows what your video is about.

Claude (by Anthropic) reads that transcript and writes your titles, descriptions, tags, thumbnail headlines, and Shorts suggestions. It uses your channel profile to match your voice and style.

You pay these providers directly for what you use. YouPush does not mark up the cost or charge you for API usage. The total varies with the length of the video, transcript size, and amount of text generated.

For example, Whisper transcription for a 10-minute video is about $0.06 at the current rate. Claude cost depends on how much transcript and channel context is sent and how much text is generated. Provider pricing and promotions can change, so check the billing pages linked below before funding either account.

Step 1: Get your Anthropic API key (Claude)

Create an account

1. Go to console.anthropic.com
2. Click Sign up (top right)
3. Enter your email and create a password, or sign in with Google
4. Verify your email if prompted

Generate your API key

1. Once logged in, click Settings in the left sidebar (or go directly to console.anthropic.com/settings/keys)
2. Click Create Key
3. Give it a name like "YouPush"
4. Copy the key that appears. It starts with sk-ant-. Save it somewhere safe. You will not be able to see it again.

Paste it into YouPush

1. Open YouPush
2. Go to Settings (or the setup wizard if this is your first time)
3. Paste the key into the Anthropic API Key field
4. Click Save Keys

Step 2: Get your OpenAI API key (Whisper)

Create an account

1. Go to platform.openai.com
2. Click Sign up
3. Enter your email and create a password, or sign in with Google/Microsoft/Apple
4. Verify your email and phone number if prompted

Generate your API key

1. Once logged in, go to platform.openai.com/api-keys
2. Click Create new secret key
3. Give it a name like "YouPush"
4. Copy the key that appears. It starts with sk-. Save it somewhere safe. You will not be able to see it again.

Paste it into YouPush

1. Open YouPush
2. Go to Settings
3. Paste the key into the OpenAI API Key field
4. Click Save Keys

Troubleshooting

My key is not working

Make sure you copied the full key. Anthropic keys start with sk-ant- and OpenAI keys start with sk-. If you lost the key, generate a new one from the console. The old one still works, but you cannot view it again.

I got a billing error

Your account may have no available usage credit. Log into the provider console and check its billing page. Add only the amount you are comfortable with, and review any auto-reload or spending-limit settings before continuing.

How do I control costs?

Both providers let you set monthly spending limits. Go to Settings > Billing in each console and set a cap. $10/month covers roughly 50-80 videos. You will never be charged more than your limit.

Is my key safe?

Your API keys are stored locally on your computer. They are never sent to YouPush servers. They go directly from your machine to Anthropic and OpenAI when YouPush processes a video.

Still stuck?

Email [email protected] and we will help you get set up.