# Thinking Machines (BYOK)

> Create an API key for Thinking Machines and add it to AnyRouter.


# Thinking Machines — Bring Your Own Key

Route requests through your own Thinking Machines account ([BYOK](/features/byok)); no platform credits are charged. You need a API key string.

## Get your API key

1. Set up Tinker (install the `tinker` SDK and sign in with `uv run tinker auth login`).
2. Follow [Tinker's quickstart](https://tinker-docs.thinkingmachines.ai/tinker/quickstart) to create an API key in the Tinker Console.
3. Copy the key and keep it for the **API key** field below.

## Gotchas

Tinker bills inference on your own Tinker account ($0.30/$1.00 per 1M tokens for Inkling 2 Small), and the key is never added to the shared pool.

## Add it to AnyRouter

1. Open **[Dashboard → BYOK](https://anyrouter.dev/dashboard/byok)**, find **Thinking Machines** under **Available** and click **Add key**.
2. Paste the key.
3. Click **Save**. AnyRouter validates the key against Thinking Machines first; on failure the dialog shows the upstream error and nothing is saved.

- Create key: [Thinking Machines console](https://tinker-docs.thinkingmachines.ai/tinker/quickstart)



## Related

- [BYOK Provider Setup Guide](/docs/features/byok-providers.md)
- [Bring Your Own Key (BYOK)](/docs/features/byok.md)