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

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

API URL: https://ai-gateway.helicone.ai/v1
Example API Key: sk-helicone-123abc...
Default model: gpt-5.2

What is a Helicone API key?

A Helicone API key is a unique authentication credential that allows applications to access AI models through the Helicone platform. Helicone provides AI observability, monitoring, and analytics capabilities for large language model applications. When configuring Helicone as a provider in Ozeki AI Gateway, you need this API key to establish the connection between your gateway and Helicone's services.

Overview
Overview

Steps to follow

  1. Open Helicone dashboard
  2. Navigate to API Keys
  3. Generate new key
  4. Enter provider API key details
  5. Copy API key
  6. Open Providers page in Ozeki AI Gateway
  7. Create provider

How to create a Helicone API key video

The following video shows how to create a Helicone API key and configure it in Ozeki AI Gateway step-by-step. The video covers accessing the Helicone platform, generating credentials, and setting up the provider in your gateway.

Step 0 - Install Ozeki AI Gateway

Before configuring Helicone as a provider, ensure Ozeki AI Gateway is installed and running on your system. If you haven't installed Ozeki AI Gateway yet, follow our Installation on Linux guide or Installation on Windows guide to complete the initial setup.

Step 1 - Open Helicone dashboard

Open your web browser and navigate to the Helicone platform. Sign in with your account credentials or create a new account if needed. The Helicone dashboard provides access to API management, observability features, and monitoring tools for your AI applications (Figure 1).

Open Helicone dashboard
Figure 1 - Open Helicone dashboard

Step 2 - Navigate to API Keys

On the Helicone dashboard, locate the API Keys section in the left sidebar menu. Click on "API Keys" to access the key management page where you can create and manage your authentication credentials (Figure 2).

Navigate to API Keys
Figure 2 - Navigate to API Keys

Step 3 - Generate new key

On the API Keys management page, click the "Generate New Key" button to begin the API key creation process. This opens a form where you'll configure the key settings and specify which provider credentials to associate with it (Figure 3).

Generate new key
Figure 3 - Generate new key

Step 4 - Enter provider API key details

Enter a descriptive name for your API key, such as "Ozeki AI Gateway". A clear naming convention helps identify which keys are used by which applications or services (Figure 4). Configure the key settings including permissions and rate limits.

Enter provider API key details
Figure 4 - Enter provider API key details

Step 5 - Copy API key

After generation, Helicone displays the complete API key value. Click the copy button to transfer it to your clipboard. Store this key securely as it provides access to your Helicone account and configured AI providers (Figure 5).

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

Copy API key
Figure 5 - Copy API key

Step 6 - Open Providers page in Ozeki AI Gateway

Open the Ozeki AI Gateway web interface and navigate to the Providers page. The Providers page displays all configured AI model connections and allows you to add new providers (Figure 6).

Open Providers page
Figure 6 - Open Providers page in Ozeki AI Gateway

Step 7 - Create provider

Click the "New" button on the Providers page to begin creating a provider configuration. This opens a form where you'll specify the connection details for Helicone (Figure 7).

Add new provider
Figure 7 - Click add new provider button

Fill in the configuration form with your Helicone information. Enter the provider name, select "OpenAI compatible" as the type, paste the endpoint URL (https://ai-gateway.helicone.ai/v1), and add your authentication key. Select your preferred model from the dropdown list, then click "Create" to save the configuration (Figure 8). 

https://ai-gateway.helicone.ai/v1

Enter details and create provider
Figure 8 - Enter Helicone provider details and create

After clicking "Create", Helicone is added to Ozeki AI Gateway. The provider now appears in the list, confirming that your gateway can route requests to Helicone services. You can now create routes that allow users to access AI models through Helicone's observability platform (Figure 9).

Provider created
Figure 9 - Helicone provider created successfully

Final thoughts

You have successfully created a Helicone API key and configured it as a provider in Ozeki AI Gateway. Your gateway can now communicate with Helicone's AI platform and access various AI model. This setup allows you to manage AI access for multiple users and applications from a centralized point while leveraging Helicone's observability features.

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