Quick Start

Setting Up AI Providers

Step-by-step guides for getting API keys from Anthropic, Google, DeepSeek, and OpenAI.

AI Data Stream supports four AI providers. This guide walks you through getting an API key from each one and adding it to your account.

Anthropic (Claude)

Anthropic offers the Claude family of models, which excel at nuanced analysis and longer documents. The range spans fast, low-cost models for quick queries up to the most capable models for complex analysis. When you add the provider, the in-app picker lists the current options with a description of what each is best for.

Getting Your API Key

  1. Go to console.anthropic.com
  2. Sign up or log in
  3. Navigate to API Keys in the sidebar
  4. Click Create Key
  5. Name your key and copy it

Adding to AI Data Stream

  1. Go to Settings → AI Providers
  2. Click Add Provider
  3. Select Anthropic
  4. Paste your API key
  5. Choose your default model
  6. Click Save

Google Gemini

Google’s Gemini models offer excellent performance at competitive prices, with options ranging from ultra-fast and affordable to highly capable for complex reasoning. When you add the provider, the in-app picker lists the current options with a description of what each is best for.

Getting Your API Key

  1. Go to ai.google.dev
  2. Click Get API key in Google AI Studio
  3. Sign in with your Google account
  4. Click Create API key
  5. Select or create a project
  6. Copy your API key

Adding to AI Data Stream

  1. Go to Settings → AI Providers
  2. Click Add Provider
  3. Select Google
  4. Paste your API key
  5. Choose your default model
  6. Click Save

DeepSeek

DeepSeek offers budget-friendly AI models with strong performance for analytics tasks, including a general-purpose option and a dedicated reasoning model for complex problems. When you add the provider, the in-app picker lists the current options with a description of what each is best for.

Getting Your API Key

  1. Go to platform.deepseek.com
  2. Create an account or log in
  3. Navigate to API Keys
  4. Click Create new API key
  5. Copy your key

Adding to AI Data Stream

  1. Go to Settings → AI Providers
  2. Click Add Provider
  3. Select DeepSeek
  4. Paste your API key
  5. Choose your default model
  6. Click Save

OpenAI

OpenAI offers the GPT family and reasoning models with broad capabilities, from fast, budget-friendly options up to frontier models for the most demanding analysis. When you add the provider, the in-app picker lists the current options with a description of what each is best for.

The most capable models support a reasoning effort setting (low/medium/high) for tasks that need deeper analysis.

Getting Your API Key

  1. Go to platform.openai.com
  2. Sign up or log in to your account
  3. Click your profile icon → View API keys
  4. Click Create new secret key
  5. Give it a name (e.g., “AI Data Stream”)
  6. Copy the key immediately—you won’t see it again

Adding to AI Data Stream

  1. In AI Data Stream, go to Settings → AI Providers
  2. Click Add Provider
  3. Select OpenAI from the dropdown
  4. Paste your API key
  5. Choose your default model
  6. Click Save

Choosing the Right Model

Each model in AI Data Stream shows a description of what it’s best for. As a general guide:

  • For quick checks: Use faster, lightweight models
  • For daily analysis: Use balanced mid-tier models
  • For complex analysis: Use powerful, top-tier models
  • For deep reasoning: Use dedicated reasoning models (or a top-tier model with reasoning effort set to high)

You can switch models anytime based on your needs.

Using Multiple Providers

You can add API keys from all four providers and switch between them:

  1. Add keys for each provider you want to use
  2. Set a default provider and model
  3. When starting a new chat, select which model to use
  4. Switch models mid-conversation if needed

This lets you:

  • Use affordable models for routine checks
  • Switch to powerful models for important analysis
  • Have a backup if one provider has issues

Managing Your Keys

Rotating Keys

For security, periodically rotate your API keys:

  1. Generate a new key in your AI provider’s dashboard
  2. Add the new key to AI Data Stream
  3. Delete the old key from AI Data Stream
  4. Revoke the old key in your AI provider’s dashboard

Setting Spending Limits

Most AI providers let you set monthly spending limits. Check your provider’s billing settings to configure caps and usage alerts.

Monitoring Usage

Track your AI costs in each provider’s dashboard:

Troubleshooting

“Invalid API key” Error

  • Check that you copied the entire key
  • Make sure there are no extra spaces
  • Verify the key is still active in your provider’s dashboard

“Rate limit exceeded” Error

  • You’ve hit your provider’s rate limits
  • Wait a few minutes and try again
  • Consider upgrading your plan with the AI provider

“Insufficient credits” Error

  • Add credits/payment method to your AI provider account
  • Check your spending limits aren’t blocking requests

Requests Timing Out

  • Try a faster, lightweight model
  • Simplify your query
  • Check your internet connection

Next Steps