Know which model arrangement you are using
JanitorAI offers an external-provider option in its API settings. That setup involves the provider's endpoint, model identifier, key and billing terms. It is one configuration choice, not a requirement that all JanitorAI users buy a provider key.
With our ordinary in-app options, the choices available in a chat's generation settings follow your account tier. You can use those options without obtaining an API key from another model provider.
Account for costs outside the chat interface
Choose among our plans based on the features you need. When an external model supplies replies, also consider that provider's charging terms separately from the character interface. A free interface does not remove the bill for independently charged inference.
Provider keys are credentials, not part of a character's personality or writing instructions. Keep them out of definition fields and do not pass them to another creator when exchanging characters or changing a configuration.
Distinguish model changes from changes to your writing
Keep the premise and role descriptions comparable while changing one setting at a time. Leave the definition in place when switching models, for instance, or change reply length without also replacing the memory instructions. Otherwise several changes can make it hard to see what affected the response.
Our personas describe your role, Lorebooks supply background and Rulebooks handle changing story state. Look for the corresponding way to provide that information in another setup. A compatible character definition can move without producing identical behavior in its new surroundings.
Questions
Do our in-app models require a key from another provider?
No. Your account access determines which ordinary model options you can choose in SpicyChat, without an external provider key. That arrangement differs from setting up a separate outside integration.
Is a separate API charge unavoidable on JanitorAI?
No. External-provider use is an option rather than a requirement for every account. Establish which model and configuration are supplying the replies before treating a provider bill as part of the cost.