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Bring your own AI key

On the Plus plan, run Pengo Intelligence without limits on your own OpenAI, Anthropic Claude or Google Gemini API key. Here's how to connect it.

Pengo Intelligence Plus plan 2 min read Updated
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On the Plus plan, Pengo Intelligence runs on your own AI provider account. There are no AI credits to run out of. Your provider bills you for what you use, and you choose the model.

#Connect your key

  1. Go to Intelligence Behavior Model and scroll to AI engine.

  2. Choose a Provider: OpenAI, Anthropic Claude or Google Gemini.

  3. Choose a Model, or pick Custom model id… and type the model’s ID.

  4. Paste your key into API key.

  5. Click Connect. Pengo makes one tiny test call to check the key works. When it does, you’ll see Connected and the last four characters of your key.

Until a key is connected, Intelligence doesn’t answer on Plus. The Behavior header shows Connect your AI key.

#Models you can pick

ProviderModels listed
OpenAIGPT-4.1 mini (fast and low cost, recommended), GPT-4.1 (best quality), GPT-4.1 nano (cheapest), GPT-4o mini, GPT-4o
Anthropic ClaudeClaude Haiku 4.5 (fast and low cost, recommended), Claude Sonnet 4.5 (best quality), Claude Opus 4.1 (highest cost)
Google GeminiGemini 2.5 Flash (fast and low cost, recommended), Gemini 2.5 Flash-Lite (cheapest), Gemini 2.5 Pro (best quality)

Any other model your provider offers works through Custom model id….

#Change or test your key

  • To switch model, choose a new one and click Save and test. Leave API key blank to keep your current key.
  • To replace the key, paste the new one and click Save and test.
  • To check the stored key still works, click Test key.
  • Switching provider needs a new key for that provider.

#If your key fails

If your provider rejects a request, for example because the key was revoked or your account is out of credit, the AI engine section shows Your key is failing with the provider’s error. While it fails, Intelligence pauses and new conversations go to your team.

To keep answering meanwhile, turn on Use my remaining AI credits if my key fails and add an AI credit add-on in Billing. Pengo then uses those AI credits until your key works again. See AI credits.

#Security and billing

  • Your key is encrypted before it’s stored and is never sent back to the dashboard. Only its last four characters are shown.
  • Pengo calls your provider with your key for Intelligence replies. Usage and charges appear in your provider account.
  • Plus includes no Pengo AI credits. You only need an AI credit add-on if you want a fallback while your key fails.

Common questions

Who pays for the AI?

Your AI provider bills you directly. Plus has no included Pengo AI credits, so your OpenAI, Claude or Gemini bill is the only AI cost.

Can I use my own key on Team or Business?

No. Your own key is a Plus feature. On other plans, Intelligence runs on the plan's included AI credits, and a key connected there isn't used.

How is my key stored?

Your key is encrypted before it's stored, and Pengo never shows it again. The dashboard only shows its last four characters.

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Pengo IntelligenceHow Pengo Intelligence worksPlans & billingPlans and limitsPlans & billingAI credits