# Get an API key: Deepseek

> Deepseek bills only against money already deposited, so the balance is the whole limit - create the key, top up, paste it into Big-AGI.

- Canonical: https://big-agi.com/docs/connect-deepseek
- Minimum tier: open  [Open ⊂ Free ⊂ Pro - a tier only ever ADDS to the Open baseline]
- Kind: provider · Last content update generation: 2026-07-27 · Review by: 2026-10-27
- Answers: Where do I create a Deepseek API key? · How do I top up the balance? · Does Direct Connection work with Deepseek?

Deepseek bills only against money you already deposited, so the balance is the entire spending limit. There is no separate limit page to find.

## Getting the key

1. Open [platform.deepseek.com/api_keys](https://platform.deepseek.com/api_keys), the page the app itself links.
2. Create the key.
3. Copy the string before you navigate away.

## Topping up, which is also the cap

Money goes on at [Top up](https://platform.deepseek.com/top_up) and comes off per request; [Usage](https://platform.deepseek.com/usage) shows what has gone. Nothing bills past the deposit. Sign-up grants have varied, so read the console rather than a figure quoted elsewhere.

## The field it goes in

Open **Models** (`Ctrl + Shift + M`) and press **More Services** if the **Setup AI Models** wizard appears. Then **Add** -> **Deepseek**, paste into **Deepseek Key**, and press **Models** - the list filling in below is your confirmation ([add and manage your keys](/docs/connect-models)).

**Advanced** carries an **API Host** field, for pointing the service at an alternative endpoint of the same API.

## Direct Connection

Direct Connection can be turned on once the key is in the browser. It starts off.

> **Direct Connection works only with your API key stored in the browser**, and with an AI service that permits direct browser calls (CORS). Where it cannot be used, requests route through the Big-AGI fast edge servers instead - everything still works, within the standard upload size and time limits.

## When this doesn't work

| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| `402 Insufficient Balance` | The prepaid balance is empty. | [Top up](https://platform.deepseek.com/top_up), then [key and access errors](/docs/issue-key-and-access) |

## Related

- [Connect an AI service](/docs/connect-models)
- [What your provider does with your text](/docs/privacy-data-flow)