Set Up an OpenAI API Key for Dictionary
Dictionary uses your OpenAI API key for AI explanations and rewriting. OpenAI bills API usage to your OpenAI account.
Create a project key
- Sign in to the OpenAI Platform.
- Create or select the project you use with Dictionary.
- Open API Keys, create a secret key, and choose the permissions needed for Dictionary.
- Copy the key when OpenAI displays it.
Store the key
Save the key in a password manager, a system keychain, a secret manager, or the OPENAI_API_KEY environment variable. Give each app or environment its own key so usage and key rotation stay easy to track.
Set billing and limits
Open the billing and usage settings for your OpenAI project. Add a payment method, choose a spending limit that matches your expected use, and enable usage alerts.
Connect Dictionary
- Open Dictionary settings and find the OpenAI API key field.
- Paste the project key and save it.
- Select text and request one AI explanation or rewrite.
- Confirm that Dictionary displays the result beside the selected text.
Replace a key
Create a new project key, update Dictionary and your secret storage, verify one AI action, then revoke the earlier key from OpenAI Platform.