Connect an AI model
Atlato ABC runs on the AI provider you connect, so your work stays on an account you control. You connect a provider once, and its models appear in every chat, agent and elf you set up.
There are two ways to connect, and you can use both:
| API key | Subscription | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A key you create in your provider’s account | Signing in with an AI plan you already pay for |
| Who pays for the AI | Your provider bills your account by usage | Your existing plan covers it, at no extra charge from us |
| Can be shared | Yes, with chosen people or the whole workspace | No, it is only ever yours |
Before you begin
Section titled “Before you begin”- You need an account with an AI provider: either an API key, or a subscription such as ChatGPT Plus or Claude Pro.
- If your admin has shared AI access with you, you may not need to connect anything. Open a new chat: if the model menu already lists models, you are ready.
Providers you can connect
Section titled “Providers you can connect”With an API key: OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), Google Gemini, OpenRouter, xAI (Grok), DeepSeek, Kimi (Moonshot), GLM (Zhipu), or your own model (Custom or self-hosted) if it accepts requests in the same format OpenAI uses.
With a subscription: OpenAI (your ChatGPT Plus, Pro or Team plan), Claude (your Claude Pro or Max plan), xAI (Grok), Grok Build, and Google (your Antigravity plan).
Where the Connect AI wizard appears
Section titled “Where the Connect AI wizard appears”- After the welcome tour, if you don’t have a model yet. Select Skip for now to do it later.
- In Chats, whenever you have no model. The wizard takes the place of the message box, because a chat can’t answer without one. The rest of the app stays open, so you can still go to Teams, Agents or Settings.
- In Elves, when you create an elf or open one and have no model. An elf works on your own AI, so the wizard takes the place of the page until you connect one.
You can also add keys and subscriptions at any time, without the wizard, in Settings → AI providers. See Your AI providers.
Connect with an API key
Section titled “Connect with an API key”-
On Connect your AI model, select I have an API key, then select the arrow to continue.
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Under Select your API key provider, pick the company your key comes from.
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Read How to get your … key. It lists the steps on the provider’s site, with a short video. If you don’t have a key yet, follow them now, then continue.
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Paste your key into Paste your API key and continue. We check the key with your provider before saving it.
If the key is refused, the message says why: for example, the key wasn’t copied in full, or the provider account has no credit.
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Under Choose your default model, pick the model new chats should start on. Models marked Recommended are a good place to start.
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When you see Your AI model is connected, you are done. Select Add another provider to connect one more.
Your key is encrypted when it is saved, used only for your own requests, and never shown again in full.
Your own model
Section titled “Your own model”Choose Custom or self-hosted if you run a model on your own hardware or use a provider that isn’t listed. Enter a Name for it, its Address, the Model name (separate several with commas) and, if it needs one, an API key. Select Test connection to check it works.
Connect with a subscription
Section titled “Connect with a subscription”-
On Connect your AI model, select Connect my existing subscription.
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Under Choose your subscription, pick your plan.
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Read How to connect your … subscription, then select the Connect button for that provider (for example Connect Claude). A sign-in page opens in a new tab or window.
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Sign in to your provider and approve the connection. What happens next depends on the provider:
- Claude and xAI (Grok): copy the code the page shows, paste it into the wizard and select Finish.
- Google: copy the full link from the address bar of the page you land on, paste it into the wizard and select Finish.
- Grok Build: enter the code the wizard shows on the provider’s page. The wizard moves on by itself once you approve.
- OpenAI: the wizard first asks you to turn on device code sign-in in your ChatGPT security settings, and links to the page. Then select Connect OpenAI, enter the code the wizard shows on OpenAI’s page and approve. The wizard moves on by itself.
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Pick your default model, as for an API key.
Coming back to where you were
Section titled “Coming back to where you were”If you were writing a message when the wizard asked you to connect, or you went to Settings → AI providers from a chat, you are offered Go back to … as soon as you finish. You return to the chat with your half-written message still in the box.