BYOK: How to Use Your Own OpenRouter Key for Unlimited Generations
What is BYOK?
BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) lets you attach your own OpenRouter API key to your Crevisto account. When you generate images with BYOK enabled:
- Zero Crevisto credits consumed — you use your own OpenRouter credits instead
- Unlimited generations — no credit pack needed
- Same quality — same models, same tools, same results
Why BYOK?
If you're a power user generating dozens of images per day, buying credit packs adds up. With BYOK, you pay OpenRouter directly for API usage — often at a lower per-generation cost.
Step 1: Get an OpenRouter API Key
1. Go to openrouter.ai
2. Create an account
3. Add credits (OpenRouter accepts credit cards and crypto)
4. Go to Keys → Create Key
5. Copy your API key (starts with sk-or-v1-...)
Step 2: Add Your Key to Crevisto
1. Go to Settings
2. Scroll to BYOK (Bring Your Own Key)
3. Paste your OpenRouter API key
4. Click Save Key
Your key is encrypted with AES-256-GCM and never exposed to anyone — not even Crevisto staff.
Step 3: Generate
That's it. Every generation now uses your OpenRouter key instead of Crevisto credits. You'll see "BYOK active" on your dashboard.
Cost Comparison
| Method | Per Generation | 100 Generations |
|--------|---------------|-----------------|
| Crevisto credits (100 pack) | ~$0.15 | $15 |
| BYOK (OpenRouter direct) | ~$0.02-0.05 | $2-5 |
BYOK is 3-7x cheaper for high-volume users.
When to Use BYOK vs. Credits
Use BYOK if:
- You generate 50+ images per month
- You already have an OpenRouter account
- You want the lowest possible per-generation cost
Use credits if:
- You generate occasionally (a few images per month)
- You don't want to manage API keys
- You want a simple, all-in-one experience
Switching Between BYOK and Credits
You can switch anytime. Remove your BYOK key in Settings and you'll automatically use Crevisto credits again. No data is lost.
Security
Your OpenRouter API key is:
- Encrypted with AES-256-GCM before storage
- Never logged or exposed in API responses
- Never shared with third parties
- Removable at any time (we delete the encrypted key immediately)
Get Started
2. Add it to your Crevisto settings
3. Start generating — unlimited, at your own API cost