The Exact Method I Used to STOP Paying for APIs with OpenRouter

Summary

This video demonstrates how to use Open Router’s API for free without paying for credits, using two methods. The first method leverages no-code platforms like Make.com, allowing you to integrate the API effortlessly. The second method involves writing a simple Python script to call the API directly. The tutorial covers signing up for Open Router, selecting free models like Deep Seek and Quin 2.5, creating an API key, and utilizing both no-code and code methods to generate responses from the models. The video offers practical examples and guidance for both non-developers and developers.

Takeaways

• 😀 You can use OpenRouter's LLM APIs in your projects for free without paying for API credits.
• 😀 The video demonstrates two methods to access the APIs: using no-code platforms or integrating them into code.
• 😀 No-code platforms like Make.com allow you to integrate OpenRouter's APIs without writing code.
• 😀 To access free models, you need to sign up for an OpenRouter account and filter models by pricing (low to high).
• 😀 Some models are free to use, like DeepSeek, Gemini, and Quin 2.5, which are available on OpenRouter.
• 😀 To use the APIs, you need to create an API key in OpenRouter's profile settings and store it securely.
• 😀 Make.com lets you create automation scenarios by connecting your OpenRouter API key and selecting a model.
• 😀 You can create a scenario in Make.com, for example, asking the model to tell a joke, and run it to see the results.
• 😀 If you prefer coding, OpenRouter provides SDKs and documentation to help integrate their APIs into your code (e.g., Python).
• 😀 Developers can copy code snippets from OpenRouter's documentation, modify them with their API key, and select the model to use in their code.
• 😀 The video concludes by inviting viewers to reach out with any questions or issues regarding API integration.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video demonstrates how to use LLM (Large Language Model) APIs in projects for free, without paying for API credits, and even without writing code. It showcases two methods: one using a no-code platform and the other by calling the API directly in code.

What tool is used in the video to access free LLM APIs?

The tool used in the video is OpenRouter, which provides access to several LLM models, some of which are free to use.

How can someone sign up for OpenRouter?

To sign up for OpenRouter, you can use either a Google account or a MetaMask wallet. Once signed up, you can access the available models on the platform.

What is the process to find free models on OpenRouter?

On OpenRouter, you can filter models by sorting them from 'low to high' pricing, which will display all the free models. The free models include options from companies like Mistel and Google Gemini, as well as the Quin 2.5 and DeepSeek models.

How can you create an API key on OpenRouter?

To create an API key on OpenRouter, go to the profile section, click on 'Keys', and then create a new key. After generating the key, it can be copied and used for API calls.

What is the first method shown to use the OpenRouter API in a project?

The first method demonstrated is using a no-code platform called Make.com. This allows users to integrate OpenRouter's API into their projects without writing any code.

How do you use OpenRouter's API on Make.com?

On Make.com, you create a new scenario, add the OpenRouter module, and connect it using your API key. Then, you can choose a model to use, configure the prompt, and run the scenario to get a response.

What is the significance of the 'system' role in Make.com when using OpenRouter?

The 'system' role in Make.com allows you to define how the model should behave when generating responses. For example, you can specify whether the model should choose the most appropriate available model if the selected model is unavailable.

What should you do if you want to use a paid model on OpenRouter?

If you want to use a paid model, you will need to top up your OpenRouter account with credits. The platform will show you the cost associated with each model, allowing you to choose the one that fits your needs and budget.

How can developers integrate the OpenRouter API into their code?

Developers can access the OpenRouter API by copying the provided SDK or code snippets for different programming languages like Python or TypeScript. After replacing the API key and model ID in the code, they can run the code to interact with the selected model.