You use your own API key.
ResearchGangs does not charge for AI usage. The AI provider bills usage to your own account (credits or billing).
Before you start
ResearchGangs supports three AI providers: Claude (Anthropic), ChatGPT (OpenAI) and Gemini (Google). All three connect with an API key that you paste in. There is no sign-in through the provider's account.
You need an API key first. Pick the matching guide:
Not sure which provider to choose? See Which AI provider should I choose?.
Steps to connect
Inside a project, click the AI icon at the top of the right toolbar.
Pick Claude, ChatGPT or Gemini under "AI provider".
Paste the API key you got from the provider.
Add a label so you can recognize this account, for example "My personal Claude API key".
Click Connect. The account appears in the "Connected AI accounts" list.
Choose "Use this API key for this project" to grant access to the project you have open.
The API key is shown only when you paste it.
ResearchGangs encrypts the key and never shows it again after it is saved. To tell keys apart, the app may show only the last few characters.
Per-project access
AI connections belong to each user. To use one in a project, you grant it to that project: under "Per-project access", choose which AI accounts may be used in each project you take part in.
Update an API key
Choose "Update API key" to replace the key with a new one. Per-project access and existing conversations are kept.
If an account shows "API key needs updating", the key has stopped working. Update it with a valid key.
Disconnect
Choose "Disconnect" to remove an AI account. This revokes all per-project access. Old conversations stay readable but can't send new messages.
Cost
The provider bills AI usage to your account through credits or billing. A conversation can attach up to 3 library files as context. Default models may change over time.
Troubleshooting
An account shows "API key needs updating"
The key has stopped working, for example because it expired or was deleted on the provider's side. Check your provider account, then use "Update API key". See each provider's guide above.
Connected, but it doesn't work in a project
Check that you selected "Use this API key for this project" for that project.
Need more help? See the Connect AI FAQ or contact admin@researchgangs.com.