A ChatGPT plan does not include API access.

ChatGPT and the OpenAI API have separate billing systems. API usage is charged to your OpenAI Platform account, not to your ChatGPT Plus subscription.

Before you start

• You need an OpenAI Platform account (platform.openai.com). Sign up or sign in with your OpenAI account.
• The API uses prepaid credits. The minimum purchase is 5 USD (default 10 USD). When credits run out, the API returns a billing error until you add more.
• Vietnam is on OpenAI's list of supported countries and territories for the API.

Steps to get a key

Sign in to the OpenAI Platform

Go to platform.openai.com and sign in, or create a new account.

Set up billing and add credits

Open your organization's Billing section, add a payment method and buy credits. This step needs billing permission in your organization.

Choose a project

OpenAI manages keys per project. Pick the project you want to use, or create a dedicated one for ResearchGangs.

Create a secret key

Open the project's API keys page and create a new secret key. Give it a recognizable name, for example "ResearchGangs - personal". OpenAI recommends setting an expiration date on project keys.

Copy and store the key

OpenAI shows the full secret key only once, when you create it. Copy it right away and keep it somewhere safe, such as a password manager.

Paste the key into ResearchGangs

Open the AI assistant in ResearchGangs, choose ChatGPT, paste the key, add a label and click Connect. See Connect AI to ResearchGangs for details.

If you lose the key, you can't view it again.

If you didn't save it, create a new key and update it in ResearchGangs.

Troubleshooting

ResearchGangs can't use AI even though it is connected

Check your credit balance under Billing in the OpenAI Platform. When credits run out, API requests are rejected. If you set a hard spend limit, requests are also rejected once spending reaches it.

I can't create a key

Your role in the organization or project may not allow creating keys. Ask an organization admin to grant access or to create a key for you.

The key is lost or may have leaked

Create a new key, update it in ResearchGangs, then revoke the old key. See also Protect your API key.

Official sources

• Developer quickstart (OpenAI)
• Production best practices: API keys, budgets (OpenAI)
• Spend limits and alerts (OpenAI)
• Supported countries and territories (OpenAI)
• Where do I find my OpenAI API key? (OpenAI Help Center)
• Setting up and managing prepaid API billing (OpenAI Help Center)
• Managing billing for ChatGPT and the API platform (OpenAI Help Center)

Checked against the provider's documentation on 28/10/2026. Their interface may change over time.