API Key
Domain: LLM Concepts
🎯 Motivation
To use an LLM via API, you need an API key - a secret string that authenticates you and tracks usage for billing.
📋 Concrete Example
To call OpenAI’s API: Authorization: Bearer sk-xxxx. The key identifies your account. Each API call costs money based on tokens used. Keep your key secret!
🔗 Analogy
A membership card for a gym - it identifies you as a member, lets you in, and tracks your visits. If someone steals your card (API key), they can use the gym (API) at your expense.