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Sourced from docs/quick-start/provider-keys.md in the firmware repo.

Get your provider key

Orchestrator mode needs one AI provider key to think. This page shows, step by step, how to create an account and generate a key with each provider, written so you can follow it even if you have never used one before.

Get your key before you start setup

During setup, your phone or laptop joins the device's own Wi-Fi (Nimbus-setup), which has no internet. You cannot open a provider's website to copy your key while you are connected to it. So do this now, before step 1:

  1. Create your key by following one section below.
  2. Paste it into the notes app on the same phone or laptop you will run setup from (or a password manager). You want it one tap away when the wizard asks.
  3. Then start Set up the device.

A key looks like a long line of random letters and numbers. Treat it like a password: never share it, post it, or email it. Anyone who has it can spend from your account.

Which provider should I pick?​

Any one verified key runs the assistant. If you are not sure:

  • Easiest and free to try: Mistral. Its free tier is enough to set up and use Nimbus, and no card is required to start. It is also the voice default.
  • One key for everything: a Cumulo key. Prepay once and it works across Mistral, OpenAI, and Anthropic, with no per-provider accounts to manage.
  • OpenAI adds a few extras (image generation, and spoken replies on the device speaker). Anthropic is great for conversation. Both need a paid balance to start.

You can add more providers later. You only need one to finish setup.

Free to try, no card needed to begin.

  1. Create an account. Go to console.mistral.ai and sign up. Verify your email and phone number when asked.
  2. Billing. Not required to start. The free tier covers first use. For higher limits later, open Workspace, then Billing, and add a card.
  3. Create the key. Open API Keys (in the left menu under API). Click Create new key, give it a name like nimbus, and click to create it.
  4. Copy it now. Copy the key and paste it into your notes app on the device you will set up from. This is your one chance to see it in full.
  5. To revoke it later. Return to the same API Keys page and delete the key. The device stops working until you add a new one.

OpenAI​

Adds image generation and spoken replies on the device speaker.

  1. Create an account. Go to platform.openai.com and sign up.
  2. Billing (required). The API has no free tier, so a new key will not work until you add money. Open Settings, then Billing, add a payment method, and buy a small amount of credit (a few dollars is plenty to start).
  3. Create the key. Open API keys (under your profile menu, then API keys). Click Create new secret key, name it nimbus, and create it.
  4. Copy it now. Copy the key and paste it into your notes app on the device you will set up from. It is shown only once.
  5. To revoke it later. Return to the same API keys page and revoke the key.

Anthropic​

Strong at conversation and reasoning.

  1. Create an account. Go to console.anthropic.com and sign up. This opens the Claude Console (its address may show as platform.claude.com; that is the same place).
  2. Billing (required). There is no free tier, so add money first. Open Billing (or Plans & billing) and buy a small amount of credit.
  3. Create the key. Open Settings, then API keys. Click Create Key, name it nimbus, and create it.
  4. Copy it now. Copy the key and paste it into your notes app on the device you will set up from. You see the full key only once.
  5. To revoke it later. Return to the same API keys page and delete the key.

Cumulo key (one key for all three)​

Prefer a single prepaid balance instead of an account with each provider? A Cumulo key draws on one balance and routes to any provider, so you top up once and use any model.

  1. Create an account. Sign in at app.cumulo-nimbus.ai.
  2. Add credit. Top up your prepaid balance. You can set a monthly spending limit for a hard cap.
  3. Create the key. Open API keys, create one, and copy it when it is shown.
  4. Copy it now. Paste it into your notes app on the device you will set up from. You only see it once.
  5. To revoke it later. Return to API keys and revoke it. Each key tracks its own usage, so you can keep a separate one per device.

Full details, including using the key from your own code, are on Use your Cumulo key.

Key in hand and pasteable? Continue to Set up the device.

How it works -> Provider capability matrix