--- title: AI providers and API keys url: https://www.moldraw.com/docs/ai/how-to-set-up-ai-providers-and-api-keys/ section: AI updated: 2026-10-20 publisher: LabCanvas --- # AI providers and API keys > Open Settings, then AI. Pick a Chat provider (Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, OpenAI or DeepSeek), paste its API key and click Save key. Pick a Model from the list. Keys stay in this browser and requests go straight to the provider. The [AI assistant](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/ai/how-to-use-the-ai-chemistry-assistant/) needs your own API key from one of four providers. This page covers the provider settings, the model picker and the errors you may see. ## Add a key in Settings 1. Click **Settings** (the gear) in the top bar. Or press `Ctrl+K` and type *Settings: AI*. 2. Click **AI**. 3. Under **AI provider**, find the key box for your provider, for example **Anthropic API key**. 4. Click **Get a key** to open the provider's key page. Create a key and copy it. 5. Paste the key and click **Save key**. You see **Saved**. 6. Pick a **Model**. The list refreshes with the models your key can use. Saving a key for a provider also makes it the active **Chat provider**. Providers with a saved key show a check mark in the list. ## Add a key from the chat Open the chat with **AI** in the tools row. With no key, the panel shows **Connect an AI model**. Click a provider tab (Gemini, Claude, OpenAI or DeepSeek), paste the key and click **Save**. The link under the box opens the provider's key page. The panel warns if a key does not look right for that provider. For example, a Claude key starts with `sk-ant-`. The warning never blocks the save. ## Providers | Provider | Key looks like | Default model | Reads images | Billing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Google Gemini** | `AIza...` | Flash (latest) | Yes | Free keys from Google AI Studio work with Flash models | | **Anthropic Claude** | `sk-ant-...` | Claude Opus 5.5 | Yes | Your Anthropic API credit | | **OpenAI** | `sk-...` | GPT-5 mini | Yes | Your OpenAI API credit | | **DeepSeek** | `sk-...` | DeepSeek Chat | No, text only | Your DeepSeek balance | ## Pick a model You can switch models in two places: - **Settings**, **AI**, **Model**. - The model button at the top of the chat panel. It shows the provider and model. Its menu lists **Provider** (with **Key saved** or **Add key**) and **Model**. **Manage API keys** opens Settings. Before your key is checked you see a short built in list: | Provider | Models | | --- | --- | | Gemini | Flash (latest), Pro (latest) | | Claude | Claude Opus 5.5, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Claude Haiku 5.5, Claude Fable 5.1 | | OpenAI | GPT-5 mini, GPT-5 | | DeepSeek | DeepSeek Chat, DeepSeek Reasoner | After you save a key, MolDraw asks the provider which models that key can use and shows that list. > **Tip:** Use a **Pro** class model (Gemini Pro, GPT-5, Claude Opus) for reaction schemes and mechanisms. It gives more accurate SMILES. Flash and mini models are faster for simple drawings. ## Where your keys are stored Keys are saved in this browser's local storage on this device. They are not part of a settings export and are not sent to MolDraw. Chat requests go from your browser straight to the provider. A key saved on your laptop is not on your phone; add it there too. To remove a key, click **Clear** next to it in **Settings**, **AI**. Clearing browser data also removes it. See [privacy and where your drawings are stored](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/devices/privacy-and-where-your-drawings-are-stored/). ## Error messages | Message (short form) | What to do | | --- | --- | | The provider did not accept the API key | Click **Update key** and paste the key again. Check that you copied all of it. | | The model is not available for this API key | Click **Change model** and pick another model from the list. | | The model is not included in this key's free tier | Pick a Flash model, or add billing to your Gemini account. | | The account has no credit left | Add credit with that provider, or switch provider. | | Rate limit or quota reached | Wait a minute and click **Retry**. | | The provider is busy | Try again in a moment. | | Could not reach the provider | Check your internet connection. | | Chat tools could not be sent | Pick another model. Some models do not accept the drawing tools. | Open **Details** under the error to see the technical text from the provider. ## Common problems | Symptom | Fix | | --- | --- | | The send button stays grey | No key is saved for the active provider. Add one, or switch to a provider that shows **Key saved**. | | An image you attached is ignored | DeepSeek reads text only. Switch to Gemini, Claude or OpenAI. | | The model list is short | The full list loads after the key is saved and checked. Reopen the list after a few seconds. | ## Questions and answers **Which AI providers does MolDraw support?** Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, OpenAI and DeepSeek. Pick one in Settings, AI, Chat provider. **Where is my AI API key stored?** In your browser on this device only. MolDraw does not receive it, and requests go straight to the provider. **Can I use Claude instead of Gemini in MolDraw?** Yes. Paste an Anthropic API key in Settings, AI and click Save key. Chat switches to Claude. **What does "model is not available for this API key" mean?** Your key cannot use the selected model. Click Change model in the chat and pick one from the list. **Which model is best for reaction schemes?** A Pro class model such as Gemini Pro, GPT-5 or Claude Opus. They give more accurate SMILES than Flash or mini models. ## Practice it - Interactive lesson: [How to open the AI chemistry assistant](https://www.moldraw.com/learn/how-to-open-the-ai-chemistry-assistant/) ## Related pages - [AI assistant](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/ai/how-to-use-the-ai-chemistry-assistant/) - [Settings reference](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/settings/moldraw-settings-reference/) - [Connect AI agents with MCP](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/developers/connect-ai-agents-to-moldraw-with-mcp/)