The API Key Setup Guide.
PDF Press runs on your own AI key, which is why there is no monthly fee and each PDF costs you only pennies. Two things to know before you start: a free ChatGPT or Claude account will not work here, because you need an API key, which is a separate thing. And you do not need any paid monthly subscription, just pay-as-you-go usage, with about $5 of credit enough to get going. This is the one-time, roughly two-minute setup. You only need one provider, so pick OpenAI or Anthropic below and follow those steps.
Add a little credit to your account before you use the key. On both providers, a brand-new key will be rejected until you add a small prepaid balance. Five dollars is plenty and lasts a very long time, since a full PDF costs a fraction of a cent to a few cents. Skip this and the tool will say there is no credit on the key. Do this and you are done.
Option A Get an OpenAI key
The default in PDF Press, and the one to pick if you use ChatGPT.
Sign in to the OpenAI platform
Go to platform.openai.com and sign in, or create an account. This is the developer platform, separate from ChatGPT, though the same login works. Verify your email and phone if asked.
Add a little credit first
Open Settings → Billing, add a card, and add credit. Five dollars is plenty. Turn on auto-recharge if you want it to never run dry mid-project, and set a monthly limit so there are no surprises.
Create your secret key
Open Settings → API keys, or go straight to platform.openai.com/api-keys. Click Create new secret key, name it something like PDF Press, and create it.
Copy it right away
OpenAI shows the key only once. Copy the whole thing, starting with sk-, and keep it somewhere safe. If you lose it, just delete it and make a new one.
Option B Get an Anthropic key
Pick this one instead if you prefer Claude. You do not need both.
Sign in to the Anthropic Console
Go to console.anthropic.com and sign up or log in with email or Google. This is the developer console, separate from the Claude chat app. Answer the short onboarding questions.
Add a little credit first
Open Settings → Billing (Plans and Billing), add a card, and add credit. Five dollars is plenty. New accounts sometimes get a small free test credit, but adding a little yourself avoids surprises.
Create your key
Open Settings → API keys, or go to console.anthropic.com/settings/keys. Click Create Key, name it something like PDF Press, and create it.
Copy it right away
Anthropic shows the key only once. Copy the whole thing, starting with sk-ant-, and keep it safe. Lost it? Delete it and make a new one.
Paste it into PDF Press
Same for either provider. You do this once and it is remembered on your device.
Open PDF Press and match the provider
Open the tool and enter your access password. At the top, set the provider toggle to match the key you just made, OpenAI or Anthropic.
Paste your key and pick a model
Paste your key into the API key box. Use the show button to confirm it pasted fully with no missing characters. Then choose a model, the fast and cheap option is perfect to start.
Make your first PDF
Type a topic, pick your depth and how many items you want, and press the sheet. That is it. Your key stays on your device, so you will not do this again on this browser.