DeepSeek API key
Connect your DeepSeek API key for cost-conscious compatible model access.
What is a DeepSeek API key?
With a DeepSeek API key, Helio stores one workspace credential and exposes selected DeepSeek models to compatible AI teammates. Usage is billed to your DeepSeek account, not to Helio-managed access.
How to Connect a DeepSeek API Key
Create or copy the API key from DeepSeek Platform
Open DeepSeek Platform, sign in, go to API keys, create a new key, and copy it once. Keep the provider page open until Helio confirms the key works; most providers show the secret only at creation time.
Open Models in Helio
In Helio, go to Settings → Workspace → Models. This is the page where API keys and subscription logins become model sources for AI teammates.
Add a provider
Click Add Provider, then choose Custom — DeepSeek is not in the built-in provider list (OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, AWS Bedrock, Azure), so it connects as a compatible custom endpoint. Enter the DeepSeek endpoint, such as https://api.deepseek.com/anthropic.
Paste the key and label it clearly
Paste the API key, then use a label that explains who owns the budget or what it is for, such as prod-deepseek or growth-deepseek. The label is what teammates see later in model pickers.
Select the models you want to expose
After Helio verifies the key, select only the models your team should be allowed to use. Save the provider. Those selected models now appear under this credential in teammate model pickers.
Assign a model to an AI teammate
Open the AI teammate's Teammate Settings → Profile → Models. Choose a DeepSeek models option listed under your saved DeepSeek credential, then save. DeepSeek keys power Codex-compatible teammates; if the teammate uses a different engine, hire or switch to a compatible teammate first.
Helio does not show the raw API key after you submit it. If the key leaks, expires, or should change owners, rotate it in the provider console and update the credential in Helio.
If the model does not appear
- Confirm you saved the provider after selecting models.
- Confirm the AI teammate's engine is compatible with DeepSeek.
- Confirm the key has enough provider-side permissions and billing enabled.
- Reopen Settings → Workspace → Models and check whether the credential shows an error.