# So fügen Sie einen OpenAI-API-Schlüssel in VS Code und n8n ein

Add RunAPI's OpenAI-compatible key to Continue, Cody, or any VS Code AI extension in under 2 minutes. The same key works in n8n's OpenAI node. One key, one credit balance — GPT-4o, Claude, Gemini, and 210+ models at 50% off the direct price. No ChatGPT subscription needed.

*Updated June 23, 2026 · RunAPI Editorial*

## Was deckt diese Anleitung ab?

VS Code AI extensions and n8n both accept an OpenAI-compatible base URL and API key. RunAPI provides exactly that interface at runapi.ai/v1. You sign up once, generate a key, add credits, and paste the key into your tool of choice. Every call is billed per token at half the direct price — no subscription, no minimum spend, and no separate account per model. One thing to know upfront if you are also setting up OpenAI directly: a ChatGPT subscription does not grant API access. You need a separate API credit balance, and 429 errors almost always mean that balance is zero.

- **VS Code settings.json**: Jede Erweiterung, die openai.apiKey oder eine benutzerdefinierte Base URL aus settings.json liest, kann ohne Codeänderung auf RunAPI verweisen.
- **Continue-Erweiterung**: Continues config.yaml akzeptiert provider: openai mit einer benutzerdefinierten apiBase. Geben Sie runapi.ai/v1 und Ihren RunAPI-Schlüssel ein.
- **n8n OpenAI-Knoten**: n8n's OpenAI credential lets you override the base URL. Enter runapi.ai/v1 and your RunAPI key — all existing workflows keep working.
- **50 % Rabatt auf offizielle Preise**: GPT-4o Eingabe kostet $2,50 pro Million Tokens über OpenAI. Über RunAPI sind es $1,25. Derselbe Rabatt gilt für Claude, Gemini und DeepSeek.

## API-Schlüssel in VS Code settings.json konfigurieren

Open Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P on macOS, Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows/Linux) and select Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON). Add or update the following block. Replace YOUR_RUNAPI_KEY with the key from your RunAPI dashboard. If your extension stores its key in its own settings panel (not in openai.apiKey), check the extension README for the exact field name — the base URL field is usually labeled apiBase or baseURL.

## RunAPI zur Continue-Erweiterung hinzufügen

Continue is a popular open-source AI coding assistant for VS Code and JetBrains. It stores its config in ~/.continue/config.yaml (or config.json for older versions). Pointing it to RunAPI gives you access to every model in the catalog through the same familiar chat and autocomplete interface. After saving the file, restart VS Code so Continue picks up the new config — the model you added will then appear in the Continue model picker.

## So fügen Sie einen OpenAI-API-Schlüssel zu n8n hinzu

n8n's OpenAI node uses a credential called OpenAI API. That credential has a Base URL field (hidden by default under Additional Fields) that lets you redirect all calls to any OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Set it to RunAPI and every workflow that calls the OpenAI node routes through RunAPI automatically — no other changes needed.

## Was Sie pro Modell über RunAPI vs. direkt zahlen

RunAPI charges 50% of the official vendor price for all LLM models. There is no monthly fee or subscription. You top up credits and pay only for what you use — failed requests are not charged. A ChatGPT Plus subscription is not required and does not grant API access; the API has separate billing regardless of which provider you use.

## So konfigurieren Sie einen OpenAI-API-Schlüssel in VS Code und n8n mit RunAPI

1. **Kostenloses RunAPI-Konto erstellen** — Gehen Sie zu runapi.ai und melden Sie sich mit Ihrer E-Mail an. Keine Kreditkarte erforderlich, um ein Konto zu erstellen oder einen API-Schlüssel zu generieren.
2. **API-Schlüssel generieren** — Open your dashboard and navigate to API Keys. Click New Key, give it a name (e.g. vscode-dev), and copy the key immediately — it starts with rp- and is shown only once. Save it somewhere safe before closing the dialog.
3. **Credits hinzufügen** — Go to Billing and add a small top-up — $5 is enough to start. Credits never expire and you are only charged for successful API calls. Without a credit balance, API calls return a 429 error.
4. **VS Code konfigurieren** — Öffnen Sie VS Code settings.json (Cmd+Shift+P > Einstellungen: Benutzereinstellungen öffnen (JSON)). Setzen Sie openai.baseURL auf https://runapi.ai/v1 und openai.apiKey auf Ihren RunAPI-Schlüssel.
5. **Continue konfigurieren (optional)** — Wenn Sie die Continue-Erweiterung verwenden, öffnen Sie ~/.continue/config.yaml und fügen Sie einen Modelleintrag mit provider: openai, apiBase: https://runapi.ai/v1 und Ihrem apiKey hinzu.
6. **n8n konfigurieren (optional)** — Öffnen Sie in n8n Settings > Credentials > OpenAI API. Fügen Sie Ihren RunAPI-Schlüssel in API Key und https://runapi.ai/v1 in das Feld Base URL unter Zusätzliche Felder ein.
7. **Mit einem Testaufruf verifizieren** — Ask your VS Code extension a question or trigger an n8n workflow. Check your RunAPI dashboard under Usage to confirm the call went through.

## FAQ zur VS-Code- und n8n-API-Einrichtung

### Can I use my paid ChatGPT subscription instead of buying API credits?

No. A ChatGPT Plus or GPT-4 subscription gives you access to the chat interface only — it does not grant API access. The API has separate billing. You add a credit balance at platform.openai.com/billing and pay per call. If you skip that step, every API call comes back as a 429 error even though your subscription is active.

### I set everything up but I keep getting a 429 error. What's wrong?

That means your credit balance is zero. OpenAI requires a billing credit balance above zero before any API call will go through — having an account and a valid key is not enough. Go to platform.openai.com/billing, add at least $5, and the 429 error stops. Through RunAPI you top up once and use any model with the same key.

### I created an API key but forgot to save it. Can I see it again?

You cannot. The key is shown exactly once when you create it. Close the dialog before copying and it is gone — you will need to create a new key. Go back to the API Keys page, delete the old one, and create a fresh key. Copy it immediately and save it somewhere safe before closing the dialog.

### Why does my API key have the word "project" in it? Is that normal?

Keys that show the word "project" in the name are project-scoped keys, which are the default type OpenAI now creates. They work exactly the same as personal keys for making API calls. The difference is they are tied to a specific OpenAI project in your dashboard rather than to your user account. Either type works fine — just copy and use it.

### Can I use the same RunAPI key in both VS Code and n8n?

Yes. One RunAPI key works across all tools that accept an OpenAI-compatible API key and base URL. You can use the same key in VS Code extensions, n8n, Cursor, Claude Code, and any other OpenAI-compatible client without generating separate keys.

### Which VS Code AI extensions work with a custom base URL?

Continue, Cody (via proxy mode), and most extensions that expose an openai.baseURL or equivalent setting work. GitHub Copilot does not support a custom base URL — it is locked to GitHub's endpoint. Copilot requires a paid GitHub subscription; there is no way to plug your own API key into it. For a Copilot alternative that accepts a custom key, Continue or Cody are the most common choices.

### What model names do I use in VS Code or n8n?

Use the exact model IDs from RunAPI's catalog — for example gpt-4o, gpt-4o-mini, claude-sonnet-4-5, or gemini-2.0-flash. These identifiers match what you would pass to the OpenAI API directly. If a model ID is wrong, the API returns a 404. The complete list with per-token pricing is at runapi.ai/models.

### Wie viel kostet es, GPT-4o über RunAPI in VS Code den ganzen Tag zu verwenden?

Eine typische Coding-Sitzung generiert ungefähr 50.000–200.000 Eingabe-Tokens. Beim GPT-4o-Eingabetarif von RunAPI von $1,25 pro Million Tokens entspricht das etwa $0,06–$0,25 pro Tag. Ausgabe-Tokens und jeder zusätzliche Kontext, der von der Erweiterung gesendet wird, werden separat zum gleichen 50 %-Rabatt auf die offiziellen OpenAI-Tarife abgerechnet.