Your AI account. Your model. Your bill.
Puzzle BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) lets you connect your existing AI provider directly to Nova, so the AI behind your workflows is the same AI you've already chosen and configured. Whether you're using Anthropic, OpenAI, or both, your account becomes the engine behind Nova in your workspace.
With BYOK enabled, every Nova request is billed directly through your AI provider at your rates. Your Nova Credits stay untouched, your AI spend stays centralized, and your team works with the models and behavior you've selected for the work they do.
You stay in control of the entire setup. Switch between models, rotate your API key, or disable BYOK and return to Nova Credits at any time, all without disrupting your workflows.
This guide walks you through connecting your provider, selecting models, and managing your key over time so you can get Nova running on your own AI infrastructure in just a few minutes.
What BYOK Gives Your Team
🎯 Pay your AI provider directly. Nova requests bill to your provider account at your rates. No Nova Credits or credit packs in the middle.
🤖 Pick the model your team trusts. Choose the Claude or OpenAI model that matches the work, and swap it anytime your needs change.
💰 Consolidate your AI spend. If you already pay for Anthropic or OpenAI, BYOK funnels Puzzle's AI usage into the same account. Finance sees one ledger instead of two.
🛡 Keep your existing AI controls. Your provider's rate limits, model access, and security settings carry over into Nova.
🔧 Switch or remove anytime. Replace your key when you rotate credentials, or remove BYOK to fall back to Nova Credits.
🎥 Video Guide: Setting Up BYOK
Coming soon..
How to Use BYOK
1️⃣ Add Your API Key
1️⃣ Add Your API Key
Connect your AI provider key so Nova runs on your account instead of Nova Credits.
🏢 Open your Organization from the top navigation.
💳 Go to the Billing tab.
🔑 Find the AI API (BYOK) section.
🤖 Pick the model from the dropdown. By default it will have Use Puzzle Credits selected. Each provider, Anthropic and OpenAI, has a one or more model options to choose from.
🔒 In put your API key, and click "Save & Verify key". We'll run a test connection automatically to ensure it is connected.
✅ Once it's connected, you'll see a green box that saves your API key with the message: "Active. Nova uses your key and credits are not deducted."
2️⃣ Confirm BYOK Is Active
2️⃣ Confirm BYOK Is Active
Check that Nova is running on your key instead of Nova Credits.
🤖 Open Nova and run a quick action. Your AI Credit balance does not change.
📊 Your usage appears in your AI provider's dashboard, not in Puzzle.
3️⃣ Switch Models or Remove BYOK
3️⃣ Switch Models or Remove BYOK
Change the model anytime, or remove BYOK to return to Nova Credits.
🔄 Change the model from the dropdown in the BYOK section. Each provider has a few model options to choose from.
🗑 Remove the key entirely to switch back to Nova Credits.
💡 Best Practices for Using BYOK
🎯 Match the model to the task. Pick a fast model for simple generation and a more capable model for complex workflow builds. Swap from the dropdown when the task changes.
🧪 Test with a small action first. Run a quick Nova prompt right after setup to confirm the key works. Catching a typo early beats troubleshooting during a deadline.
📊 Monitor your provider's dashboard regularly. All BYOK usage data is in your provider's portal (Anthropic Console, OpenAI Usage page). Check it at least weekly to spot unusual usage patterns early.
📣 Loop in your team before switching. BYOK changes how AI usage is billed. Let finance and ops know so their tracking stays accurate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which AI providers are supported?
Which AI providers are supported?
Anthropic (Claude) and OpenAI are supported. Use a standard API key from either provider. We're starting with these two and will expand support to more providers over time.
Can I pick the model Nova uses?
Can I pick the model Nova uses?
Yes. Once you've connected a key, pick the model from the dropdown in the BYOK section. Each provider has a few model options to choose from, and you can switch models anytime.
Can I switch back to Nova Credits?
Can I switch back to Nova Credits?
Yes. Remove your key from the Billing tab and Nova will resume using your Nova Credits.
What happens if my API key stops working?
What happens if my API key stops working?
If your API key is invalid, expired, or hits a rate limit, Nova will show an error message directly in the chat box. Check your provider account, regenerate or update your key in Organization → Billing, and try again.
Where can I track how much AI usage Nova has consumed through BYOK?
Where can I track how much AI usage Nova has consumed through BYOK?
All BYOK usage is tracked in your AI provider's dashboard (Anthropic Console, OpenAI Usage page). Puzzle does not display BYOK usage data inside the app since requests go directly to your provider.
Conclusion
BYOK gives you the flexibility to bring your existing AI investment into Nova instead of adapting your workflows to a new ecosystem. Keep the providers you trust, the models you prefer, and the billing structure you already manage, all while giving your team a single place to work. Connect your key, pick your model, and start running Nova on your terms!