Getting an API Key

Required role: Admin or Owner

Only Admins and Owners need to get an API key. Regular team members just use the AI assistant — they don’t need their own key.

What is an API key?

An API key is a unique code that gives Bobby CRM permission to use an AI service. Think of it like a password that connects your CRM to an AI provider (like OpenAI or Anthropic).

• You get it from the AI provider’s website (not from Bobby CRM)
• Bobby CRM encrypts it securely — it’s never visible after you save it
• One key serves your entire team

Which provider should I choose?

Bobby CRM supports 5 AI providers. Here’s a quick guide:

Provider	Best for	Price	Where to sign up
OpenAI	Most popular, great general-purpose AI	From ~$5/month usage	platform.openai.com
Anthropic	Strong reasoning, great at following instructions	From ~$5/month usage	console.anthropic.com
Google (Gemini)	Good free tier, Google ecosystem	Free tier available	aistudio.google.com
Mistral	European provider, good for EU data	From ~€5/month usage	console.mistral.ai
OpenRouter	Access multiple AI models with one key	Pay-per-use	openrouter.ai

Not sure?

If you’re new to AI, start with OpenAI (most documentation and support available) or Google Gemini (has a free tier to try without cost).

Step-by-step guides

OpenAI

1. Go to platform.openai.com and create an account
2. Add a payment method: Settings > Billing > Add payment method
3. Go to Settings > API keys
4. Click Create new secret key
5. Name it “Bobby CRM”
6. Copy the key immediately — you won’t be able to see it again
7. Paste it in Bobby CRM (next step: Setting Up AI)

Anthropic

1. Go to console.anthropic.com and create an account
2. Add a payment method: Settings > Billing
3. Go to Settings > API keys
4. Click Create Key
5. Copy the key and paste it in Bobby CRM

Google (Gemini)

1. Go to aistudio.google.com
2. Click Get API key
3. Create a key for a new or existing Google Cloud project
4. Copy the key and paste it in Bobby CRM

Mistral

1. Go to console.mistral.ai and create an account
2. Go to the API keys section
3. Create a new key
4. Copy the key and paste it in Bobby CRM

OpenRouter

1. Go to openrouter.ai and create an account
2. Add credits: Settings > Credits
3. Go to the Keys section
4. Create a new key
5. Copy the key and paste it in Bobby CRM

How much does it cost?

AI providers charge per usage (per message), not a flat monthly fee. For typical CRM usage — a few dozen AI queries per day — expect to pay $1–10 per month depending on the model.

Bobby CRM does not charge extra for the AI feature. You pay only the AI provider directly.

Security

• Your API key is encrypted before storage using strong encryption
• Only the last 4 characters are ever shown in the UI after saving
• The key is only used to communicate with the AI provider — never logged or shared

Next step

Once you have your API key, go to Setting Up AI to configure it in Bobby CRM.