How do I use my own API key for cleanup or speech?
Save a Groq or OpenAI key on the Cloud page, choose it on AI Models, and pay the provider directly; cleanup sends the finished text, speech the recording.
If you want cloud speed, or your computer cannot run on-device cleanup, add your own key from Groq or OpenAI. Dictate Safe then talks to that provider directly, with your key. Nothing goes through a server of ours.
#Add a key, then choose it
- Open Cloud in the sidebar.
- Under Provider keys, paste your key from Groq or OpenAI and save it.
- Open AI Models, and press Use this on the provider, in the Cleanup card, the Speech card, or both.
The provider is marked In use, and the badge at the top of the sidebar changes to say what now leaves your computer. Saving a key never switches anything on by itself.
#What each one sends
- Cloud cleanup (Groq or OpenAI) sends the finished text of each dictation that needs cleaning. Your voice never leaves your computer.
- Cloud speech (Groq) sends each recording. History, notes and snippets stay on your computer.
Dictate Safe does not mark up or resell these calls. The provider bills you at its own published rate, and Dictate Safe never sees your usage with them. The Cloud page estimates the monthly cost from how much you talk.
Your key is stored in the operating system’s own keychain, never in a settings file, and it is never shown again once saved. If saving fails with a keychain error, see My API key will not save.
Offline Lock overrides all of this: while it is on, dictation and cleanup run on your computer, and your key stays saved for when you turn it off.