How to create a DeepSeek API key to use in Ozeki AI Gateway

This guide demonstrates how to create a DeepSeek API key and configure it in Ozeki AI Gateway. You'll learn how to access the DeepSeek platform, generate a new API key, and set up DeepSeek as a provider in your gateway. By following these steps, you can connect your Ozeki AI Gateway to DeepSeek's models and services.

What is a DeepSeek API Key?

A DeepSeek API key is a unique authentication credential that allows applications to access DeepSeek's AI models and services. The API key serves as a secure token that identifies your DeepSeek account and authorizes API requests. When configuring DeepSeek as a provider in Ozeki AI Gateway, you need this API key to establish the connection between your gateway and DeepSeek's services.

How to create a DeepSeek API Key (Quick Steps)

  1. Open DeepSeek platform
  2. Login to DeepSeek
  3. Open API keys page
  4. Click create API key
  5. Enter key name
  6. Copy API key
  7. Open Providers page in Ozeki AI Gateway
  8. Add new provider
  9. Enter DeepSeek provider details
  10. Create provider

How to create a DeepSeek API Key (Video tutorial)

In this video tutorial, you will learn how to create a DeepSeek API key and configure it in Ozeki AI Gateway step-by-step. The video covers accessing the DeepSeek platform, generating a new API key, and setting up DeepSeek as a provider in your gateway.

Step 0 - Install Ozeki AI Gateway

Before configuring DeepSeek as a provider, you need to have Ozeki AI Gateway installed and running on your system. If you haven't installed Ozeki AI Gateway yet, follow our Installation on Linux Guide to complete the initial setup.

Step 1 - Open DeepSeek platform

Open your web browser and navigate to the DeepSeek platform. This is where you'll create and manage your DeepSeek API keys (Figure 1).

Open DeepSeek platform
Figure 1 - Open DeepSeek platform

Step 2 - Login to DeepSeek

Sign in to your DeepSeek account using your credentials. If you don't have a DeepSeek account yet, you'll need to create one before proceeding. After logging in, you'll have access to the API keys management (Figure 2).

Login to DeepSeek
Figure 2 - Login to DeepSeek

Step 3 - Open API keys page

Navigate to the API keys section in your DeepSeek dashboard. This page displays your existing API keys and provides options to create new ones (Figure 3).

Open API keys page
Figure 3 - Open API keys page

Step 4 - Click create new API key

Click the "Create new API key" button to begin the API key generation process (Figure 4).

Click create API key
Figure 4 - Click create API key

Step 5 - Enter key name

Enter a descriptive name for your API key that identifies its purpose. For example, you might name it "Ozeki AI Gateway" to indicate it will be used with your gateway installation. Click "Create API key" to generate the key (Figure 5).

Enter key name
Figure 5 - Enter key name

Step 6 - Copy API key

After the API key is generated, DeepSeek displays the complete key value. Click the copy button to copy the key to your clipboard (Figure 6).

The API key is shown only once during creation. Make sure to copy and securely store the key before closing this window.

Copy API key
Figure 6 - Copy API key

Step 7 - Open Providers page in Ozeki AI Gateway

Open the Ozeki AI Gateway web interface and navigate to the Providers page. This is where you'll configure DeepSeek as a new provider using the API key you just created (Figure 7).

Open Providers page
Figure 7 - Open Providers page in Ozeki AI Gateway

Step 8 - Click add new provider

Click the "New" button to begin the provider creation process. This opens a form where you'll enter the connection details for DeepSeek (Figure 8).

Click add new provider
Figure 8 - Click add new provider button

Step 9 - Enter DeepSeek provider details

Fill in the provider configuration form with DeepSeek's details. Enter "DeepSeek" as the provider name, select "OpenAI compatible" as the provider type, specify the API endpoint URL, and paste the API key you copied earlier. Select the preferred model from the dropdown list, then click "Create" to save the configuration (Figure 9). 

https://api.deepseek.com/v1

Enter DeepSeek provider details
Figure 9 - Enter DeepSeek provider details and create

Step 10 - Provider created

After clicking "Create", the DeepSeek provider is added to Ozeki AI Gateway. The provider now appears in the providers list, confirming that your gateway can route requests to DeepSeek's services. You can now create routes that allow users to access DeepSeek models through your gateway (Figure 10).

Provider created
Figure 10 - DeepSeek provider created successfully

Final thoughts

You have successfully created a DeepSeek API key and configured it as a provider in Ozeki AI Gateway. Your gateway can now communicate with DeepSeek's services and access DeepSeek models through your centralized gateway infrastructure. This setup allows you to manage DeepSeek access for multiple users and applications from a single point.

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