Once your Markdown text is ready, you can optionally process or translate content directly in BetterLocale Markdown using the AI provider of your choice. Currently supported providers include OpenAI, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, Perplexity AI, and xAI Grok.

To use these services, you need your own account with the respective provider. There you receive an API token that enables access to the interface and handles billing through your account. You enter this token in the settings of BetterLocale Markdown. It is stored locally on your Mac and is not transmitted to us. Before using AI features for the first time, it is recommended to run the built-in connection test. This allows you to verify that your token, endpoint, and network access are correctly configured without starting a full request.

Costs depend on the provider, the selected model, and the amount of text processed. Many services charge based on processing units such as tokens or characters. With OpenAI, for example, text is divided into tokens, and a single word may consist of multiple tokens depending on length and special characters.

Input (your text and context) and output (the generated result) are billed separately. This means you pay for both the content you send and the response generated by the model. To manage costs effectively, it’s advisable to process only relevant sections and use clear, concise instructions.

Create an AI API Key and Add It to the App

To use the optional AI features in BetterLocale Markdown—such as translation, text improvement, or the built-in AI chat—you’ll need a personal API key from an AI provider.

Think of this key as your individual access credential: it allows the provider to recognize that requests come from you and to bill usage through your own account. You enter the key in the app under Settings. It is stored locally on your Mac and is not shared with us.

BetterLocale Markdown currently supports the following providers: OpenAI, Google Gemini, Anthropic Claude, Perplexity AI, and xAI Grok.

Setup is very similar for all providers.

What you should know first
• API key = access code: You enter it in the app so it can send requests to the provider on your behalf.
• Costs are billed to you: The app sends the requests, but billing happens directly in your provider account.
• Billing is often required: Many providers only allow API requests after a payment method is added. Without billing you may get errors or very small limits.

Quick start: set up in 5 steps
1. Create an account or sign in

Go to your provider’s website and sign in.
2. Create an API key

Look for a section like API, Developer, Dashboard, or API Keys and create a new key there.
3. Copy the key and store it safely

Copy the key immediately and store it securely, ideally in a password manager.
Important: Many providers show the full key only once.
4. Enable billing/payment

Add a payment method or enable billing. Otherwise API requests often won’t work, or will be limited.
5. Enter the key in the app

Open the app → Settings → AI Providers → select a provider → paste the API key → Save

After that you can start translations and use the AI chat.

Provider guides (with direct links)

OpenAI (ChatGPT / OpenAI API)
1. Open the OpenAI dashboard:
https://platform.openai.com/
2. Create an API key:
https://platform.openai.com/settings/organization/api-keys
3. Set up billing/payment method:
https://platform.openai.com/settings/organization/billing/payment-methods

Tip: You often see the full key only once, later only partially.

Claude (Anthropic)
1. Open the Claude console:
https://platform.claude.com/
2. In the console, go to Account Settings and create an API key there.
3. Enable billing in the console so you can use the API.

Note: It previously used console.anthropic.com in some places; it is now moving to platform.claude.com and may redirect.

Gemini (Google)
1. Open Google AI Studio (API keys):
https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
2. If you don’t have a project yet, AI Studio often creates a default project automatically. Otherwise select/import a Google Cloud project.
3. Create and copy the API key.

Gemini API key documentation:
https://ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/api-key

PerplexityAI
1. Open account/settings:
https://www.perplexity.ai/account
2. In Settings, open the </> API tab and generate a key (“Generate API Key”).
3. Alternatively (depending on the UI), use the API portal:
https://www.perplexity.ai/account/api

Optional: API groups can be useful if you want separate keys (e.g. “Dev” and “Prod”).

xAI Grok
1. Open the xAI account/developer area:
https://x.ai/
2. In the developer/API area, create a new API key and copy it.
3. Enable billing/payment if required so API requests are not blocked.

Note: The exact location of the API key page may change depending on the xAI UI. Search for “API”, “Developers”, or “API Keys”.

Notes on costs and privacy
• Using AI APIs is usually paid and billed directly to your provider account, typically based on text volume (tokens).
• The app sends only the content you select (e.g. the texts to translate) plus your instruction to the provider.
• Your API key is stored only locally on your Mac in the Keychain and is not shared with third parties.

Security

Treat your API key like a password:
• Do not share it and do not copy it into public repos.
• If you think the key is compromised, disable it in the provider dashboard and create a new one.
• If you use multiple devices or projects, it’s best to use a separate key per device/project so you can revoke access without breaking everything.

The AI chat in BetterLocale Markdown is designed to give you quick help without leaving the editor. You can use it to clarify short questions, improve wording, or generate multiple text variations—for example for different audiences or tones. It can also help with structure and flow, such as when a section feels rough or important points are missing. In addition, the chat is great for brainstorming ideas so you can copy the best version directly into your Markdown document.

In BetterLocale Markdown, you can create your own templates for optional AI usage so you don’t have to rewrite the same instructions every time. You define once how the result should look—for example shorter, clearer, friendlier, more technical, or as a clean translation.

You can then select these templates depending on the task and apply them directly to your current Markdown text. This saves time because your instructions stay consistent, making the results more reliable. It’s especially useful for recurring work like App Store copy, release notes, documentation, or support replies.

You can create multiple templates, give them meaningful names, and switch between them anytime. This turns constant copy and paste into a clean, repeatable workflow.