1️⃣ Create an account

Go to openrouter.ai and click Sign up / Log in, then continue with your Gmail (Google) account.

2️⃣ Open API Keys

Go to openrouter.ai/workspaces, open API Keys and click Create API Key (New Key).

3️⃣ Copy your key

Copy the key (it starts with sk-or-v1-). Keep it secret — it is like your password.

4️⃣ Paste it in the lesson page

Back in any lesson, open ⚙️ Connect a real AI and fill:

• Endpoint: https://openrouter.ai/api/v1 📋 Copy
• API key: paste the key from step 3.
• Model: paste one free model id from the list below.

Click Connect — the demo pill becomes live. 🎉

5️⃣ Free models — copy one

Free models end with :free. The list rotates — if one stops working, try another. Full live list: openrouter.ai/models?max_price=0.

Free tier: ~50 requests/day (up to 1000/day after a one-time $10 credit purchase). No credit card needed to start.