API Key Setup

Authentication & Providers

Zcrafter connects to powerful AI models to assist you. To do this, it requires an API key from one of our supported providers.

Supported AI Providers

We officially support the following four providers. Each offers unique advantages depending on your needs.

1. OpenRouter (Recommended)

Best for: Flexibility and access to the widest range of models. OpenRouter is a gateway that allows you to access models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and Meta with a single API key.

  • Key Benefit: You can switch between top-tier models without changing your API key.

2. Anthropic

Best for: Coding and complex reasoning. Anthropic's models are widely regarded as excellent for coding tasks, offering large context windows and high accuracy.

  • Key Benefit: Exceptional performance on large codebases.

3. OpenAI

Best for: General purpose reasoning and speed. OpenAI's models are versatile powerhouses, excellent for general logic, explanation, and fast responses.

  • Key Benefit: High reliability and speed.

4. Google Gemini

Best for: Large context understanding. Gemini models feature massive context windows, allowing them to process huge amounts of documentation or code at once.

  • Key Benefit: Can "read" entire documentation sets in one go.

Security & Privacy

We take your security seriously.

  • Local Storage: Your API keys are stored locally on your machine in an encrypted format.
  • Direct Connection: Zcrafter connects directly to the AI provider's API. Your code and keys are never sent to Zcrafter's own servers.
  • No Training: By default, the commercial APIs we use (OpenAI Enterprise, Anthropic, etc.) do not train on your data.

Managing Your Keys

Initial Setup

When you run Zcrafter for the first time, the Interactive Setup Wizard will guide you. simply select your provider and paste your key when prompted.

Switching Providers

If you want to change providers (e.g., switch from OpenAI to Anthropic):

  1. Open Zcrafter.
  2. Press Ctrl+D to open the Command Palette.
  3. Select Reset API Key.
  4. Confirm the action.
  5. Zcrafter will restart and prompt you to enter a new key.

Note: You do not need to edit any configuration files manually. Zcrafter handles all key management securely through the interface.

Getting StartedOverview