API keys and AI setup

MK Studio AI setup connects a provider key with the model and usage settings needed for drafting tools.

Locations: WordPress Settings → Connectors for direct provider credentials; the OpenRouter section below for its key; MK Studio → AI Tools → Providers & Defaults for MK Studio’s provider and model choices. Keys authenticate API requests; they do not by themselves provide credits, model access or unlimited usage.

1. Obtain a provider API key

Provider dashboards and model names change. Follow the linked official instructions rather than relying on an old screenshot. Store the key privately; never paste it into a movie field, review prompt or public page.

2. Enter the key in WordPress

1. Confirm that the WordPress AI Client and the corresponding provider integration are available. MK Studio supports direct Google, OpenAI and Anthropic integrations, and adds built-in OpenRouter text support in 0.7.305; installing another provider plugin does not automatically make it available in every MK Studio tool.
2. Open Settings → Connectors. Open the intended provider’s connection controls, paste the API key in its credential field and save/connect using that screen’s action. Configure each provider separately.
3. Open MK Studio → AI Tools → Providers & Defaults. Check Runtime adapter and Credential. A configured credential means that a key is detected; it does not prove that a request succeeds.

If Connectors or the provider entry is missing, check the installed WordPress version, AI Client and provider plugin activation. Some installations provide credentials through server environment variables instead: GOOGLE_API_KEY, OPENAI_API_KEY and ANTHROPIC_API_KEY. That is an administrator/developer deployment choice, not a movie-editor field. Do not duplicate conflicting credentials without checking the connector’s configuration.

3. Choose defaults and allow provider calls

1. Choose Global default provider. A provider can be selected only when its credential and runtime adapter are configured.
2. Choose its Model family, then select Save AI defaults. Use the supported choices shown by MK Studio. Check the provider/model selection again inside the writing modal; not every tool initializes its provider from the global default.
3. Check Server policy and Admin consent. Where enabled by the server, select Allow MK Studio provider calls and save the defaults. This permits real requests, which can consume provider usage.
4. Select Test default provider. This sends one neutral test request. It does not send movie or review content or publish anything. A passing test confirms that request, not unlimited quota or success for every longer task.

Current releases show Managed in Studio when no server constant is defined. In that case an administrator can enable Allow MK Studio provider calls and save, without editing wp-config. An explicit server block takes priority and cannot be bypassed by the checkbox. If configuration allows calls, administrator consent must still be On. Installation and updates do not automatically grant consent; credentials alone do not authorize requests.

Model families and changing model catalogs

A family is MK Studio’s supported selection group; the integration resolves it to an available model identifier. Provider catalogs can change, and a new model does not become supported merely because its name appears in the provider dashboard. Keep MK Studio and the provider integration updated and run a test after changing families. Review drafting needs text generation; an image, audio or speech model is not a substitute.

When a request fails

Next: set writing instructions, then generate a review draft.

Provider selection in a popup

The small AI row shows the current provider and model. Change AI offers your existing supported connections. That selection belongs to the open tool; it does not replace the site-wide default. Switching does not make a provider call. If a request fails, read the error and explicitly try later or choose another configured service; the tool does not silently switch providers or repeatedly consume usage.

OpenRouter (available since MK Studio 0.7.305; reviewed with 0.7.306)

OpenRouter is an optional experimental text provider built into MK Studio. No additional OpenRouter plugin is required. A compatible WordPress AI Client is required; a missing client or another plugin registering OpenRouter leaves this adapter unavailable safely.

1. Open MK Studio → AI Tools → Providers & Defaults and find the OpenRouter section.
2. Click Refresh models, enter your OpenRouter API key and select an exact model. Use model search or Free models only. Keep keys private; leave the key field blank to retain an existing saved key.
3. For a paid model, explicitly approve using your OpenRouter credits. Models with unknown or unsupported pricing are unavailable in this version.
4. Choose Model default or Off when optional reasoning is supported. Off may shorten waiting time; quality varies. Save OpenRouter settings.
5. Enable Allow MK Studio provider calls, select OpenRouter as the global default and save AI defaults.
6. Run Test default provider. This makes one neutral request; paid tests can consume credits.

Keys saved in Studio are stored in the WordPress database and are never displayed in the form. Server configuration takes precedence. Opening settings or saving a key does not generate text. The public catalog refresh does not send your key or movie content.

Catalog prices and model availability

The panel shows catalog refresh time and provider-supplied prices per million input/output tokens. These values may change and are not a quote or guarantee of request cost. Actual charges depend on usage and provider billing; additional fees may apply. Check your OpenRouter account for billing. Past test costs do not predict every future request.

The catalog expires after ten minutes. Refresh before generating if it has expired. If pricing or supported settings change, review and save the selection again. Free models may have quotas, queues or variable availability. Studio does not silently choose another model or automatically retry failed generation.

Drafts, source files and privacy

Movie Review accepts optional SRT, VTT, TXT and Markdown source files. The source preview reports normalization and any length cap. Subtitles support analysis of dialogue and story, but do not establish facts about photography, editing or music. Review, Plot and Excerpt use the configured provider; supported AI preview selectors also offer OpenRouter.

Inspect every draft, check facts and edit before applying or publishing. Word targets are guidance; useful analysis and factual accuracy matter more than an exact word count. Generation does not automatically publish content. OpenRouter and its selected upstream provider receive prompts and source material under their privacy policies. Send only material you are authorized to share. This release does not add OpenRouter images, audio or streaming.

Timeout and troubleshooting

AI request timeout accepts 5–120 seconds, with a default of 30. Server configuration takes priority. Hosting/PHP/proxy limits may end a request earlier. Increasing the Studio timeout cannot override hosting limits. A timeout does not confirm that the provider charged nothing; check usage before repeating a request.

For an expired catalog, refresh models. For changed model settings, save the selection again. For quota errors, wait or choose another model explicitly. A configured key alone does not prove connection, credit or model access. OpenRouter is optional; the direct provider integrations remain available.