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Bring Your Own Keys

Set up your LLM key (OpenRouter recommended) and your EPO OPS and USPTO ODP patent-data keys, step by step, with links to each provider.

FlowLeap runs on keys you own. There are two kinds:

  1. An LLM key powers the AI. You need one from day one. Inference runs on your key and your provider bills you directly; FlowLeap never marks up or meters your usage.
  2. Patent-data keys (EPO OPS and USPTO ODP) power patent search and analysis. Your 7-day trial covers patent data with zero key setup; add your own keys before the trial ends. Both are free to obtain.

This guide walks through getting each key and where to put it.

LLM keys

Pick one provider. You can add more, or switch, at any time.

One key unlocks every major model, including all open-source models, so you can pick the model that fits each task without juggling accounts.

  1. Create an account at openrouter.ai.
  2. Add credits under Credits (pay as you go).
  3. Create a key at openrouter.ai/settings/keys.
  4. Copy the key. It is shown once.

Anthropic

  1. Create an account at console.anthropic.com.
  2. Add billing under Plans & billing.
  3. Create a key at console.anthropic.com/settings/keys.

OpenAI

  1. Create an account at platform.openai.com.
  2. Add billing under Settings → Billing.
  3. Create a key at platform.openai.com/api-keys.

Google Gemini

  1. Sign in at aistudio.google.com with a Google account.
  2. Create a key at aistudio.google.com/apikey. A free tier is available.

Add the key to FlowLeap

In the app, open the chat and choose Add your AI model, or open Settings and manage AI models from there. Paste the key, pick a default model, and start working. Keys are stored in your machine's secret storage and never leave it except to call your provider.

Patent-data keys

Patent search, citations, claims, and family data come from the EPO and the USPTO. During your trial these run on FlowLeap's credentials, so you can start immediately. After the trial, FlowLeap forwards your own keys on each request. Nothing is stored server side and keys are never logged.

EPO OPS (Open Patent Services)

EPO OPS covers European patent data and worldwide bibliographic data. Registration is free and includes a weekly usage quota that comfortably covers individual professional use.

  1. Register at developers.epo.org and confirm your email.
  2. Sign in and open My apps.
  3. Create an app. Accept the OPS terms of use.
  4. Copy the app's Consumer key and Consumer secret. You need both.

USPTO ODP (Open Data Portal)

USPTO ODP covers US applications, grants, prosecution history, and citation data. The key is free.

  1. Create a MyUSPTO account.
  2. Request an API key at data.uspto.gov/apis/getting-started.
  3. Copy the key from your profile.

Add the keys to FlowLeap

In the app, open Settings → Patent Data Keys, paste the EPO pair and the USPTO key, and use Test connection to validate them against the live services. A rejected key is reported immediately with the provider named, so you know exactly which one to fix.

Prefer the terminal? The FlowLeap CLI manages the same keys with flowleap keys, or interactively with flowleap setup.

Questions

  • Which key do I need first? The LLM key. Patent data works without your keys during the trial.
  • What does each key cost? EPO OPS and USPTO ODP are free. LLM usage is billed by your provider at their rates; typical patent research sessions cost cents.
  • Are my keys safe? Keys live in your machine's secret storage. Patent-data keys are forwarded per request and never persisted or logged by FlowLeap.