Don't want to rely on other people's apps? Want to call AI directly from your own application? This guide will walk you through integrating with an OpenAI-compatible API step by step. Add AI capability to any program in just 5 minutes.

What Is an API and Why Integrate?

An API (Application Programming Interface) is simply a "communication window." You send your question through this window to AI, and AI sends the answer back.

Imagine ordering at a restaurant: the API is like the waiter. You place an order (send a request), the kitchen prepares the food (AI generates a response), and the waiter brings it to you (returns the result). Once integrated, your website, mobile app, or even a simple script can all use AI as a tool.

Why recommend Ciyuano's API service?

OpenAI-compatible format: All tutorials, tools, and code built for OpenAI work directly—no new syntax to learn
Rich model selection: GPT-4o, DeepSeek, Qwen, and other popular models available in one place
Transparent pricing: Pay per token, only for what you use—no waste
Simple to call: One HTTP request does it all, much easier than configuring environments or installing GPUs

Integration Flow Overview

The whole process is just 4 steps, simpler than signing up for an account:

Send Request: Your app sends the question to Ciyuano's API endpoint
Validate Key: The API checks if your API Key is valid
Run Model: Once validated, the large model generates a response
Return Result: AI's answer is sent back to your app in JSON format

Step 1: Get Your API Key

Just like using a bank card, you need one first. Getting an API key follows the same pattern.

Open your browser and visit www.ciyuano.com, then register or log in
Go to your dashboard and click "API Keys" in the left menu
Click "Create New Key"
Give your key a name, for example "My Test Key", for easier management later
The system generates a key like sk-relay-xxxxxxxxxx
Copy and save it securely. The key is only shown once. If lost, you'll need to create a new one.

Important: Never share your API key publicly, don't commit it to GitHub, and don't tell strangers. Your key is like your account password—if leaked, others can use your quota.

Step 2: Send Your First API Request

With the key in hand, you can start making requests. Below is a cURL example—one command gets you an AI response.

Field explanations:

URL: https://www.ciyuano.com/v1/chat/completions is the fixed endpoint. All OpenAI-compatible services use this path.
Authorization: Put your API key here, formatted as Bearer sk-relay-xxxxx
model: Choose your model. Recommended: deepseek-chat or gpt-4o
messages: The message you send to AI. role: user means it's from you.

After running, you'll see a response like this:

{
  "choices": [{
    "message": {
      "role": "assistant",
      "content": "Hello! I am your AI assistant. Nice to meet you. How can I help?"
    }
  }]
}

Success? If you see an AI response, congratulations! You've successfully integrated an AI API. From here you can do anything you want: write articles, translate, code, chat, analyze data…

Step 3: Use It in Common Scenarios

Scenario 1: Website Integration

Want to add an AI chatbot to your website? Just send a request to the API when the page loads and display the result to users. No deep learning required, no GPU needed—a normal server is plenty.

Scenario 2: Mobile App

Calling an API from a mobile app is the same as from a website. Write a short HTTP request in your app code, send the user's input to Ciyuano API, and display the result on screen.

Scenario 3: Automation Scripts

Write a Python or Shell script that lets AI summarize news, translate documents, or generate daily reports on a schedule. Wake up every morning and AI has already prepared the day's information for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a free quota for API calls?

Ciyuano provides a starter quota when you register, allowing free trials for a period. Top up as needed once the quota runs out.

Q: What if a request fails?

Three common causes: first, the key is wrong; second, the model name is wrong; third, insufficient balance. Check the key first, then confirm the model field is in the supported list.

Q: Can I call multiple models at the same time?

Yes. All models share the same quota under one key. You can switch between different models across different requests.

Q: How is security guaranteed?

Ciyuano uses HTTPS for encrypted transport and stores API keys with bcrypt salted hashing. Keys are only created and viewed through the admin dashboard—never exposed to third parties.

Summary

Integrating an OpenAI-compatible API is just three things:

Register an account and get an API key
Send an HTTP request with the key and your question
Parse the response and display it to users

From registration to your first working call, it takes as little as 5 minutes. AI isn't some mysterious technology—it's a tool you can call anytime. Go ahead and start using it.

Tech Blog

Popular Tags

OpenAI API Integration Guide: Add AI to Any App in 3 Steps