Skip to main content
BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) gives you complete control over AI model usage: choose any model, pay only for what you use, and monitor costs directly in your provider’s dashboard.

Compare with Managed Mode

Not sure if BYOK is right for you? Compare it with our Managed Mode that handles everything for $30/dev/month.

​
Getting Started

1

Access BYOK Settings

Navigate to your organization settings at app.kodus.io/organization/byok
2

Configure Primary Model

Select your main provider (OpenAI, Google Gemini, Anthropic, etc.) and enter your API key with your preferred model
3

Configure Fallback Model (Recommended)

Set up a secondary model as backup. If your primary model has issues or becomes unavailable, reviews automatically switch to the fallback
4

Test Configuration

Kodus will validate both API keys and model selections before saving
Important: Always configure a fallback model to ensure continuous code reviews even if your primary provider experiences downtime or rate limits.
Keep your API keys secure and never share them. Use separate keys for Kodus to better track usage and costs.

​
Supported Providers

  • OpenAI
  • Google Gemini
  • Anthropic Claude
  • Novita AI
  • OpenRouter
  • Custom Providers
Best for: Latest GPT models and reliable performanceHow to get API key:
  1. Visit OpenAI API Keys
  2. Create a new API key for Kodus
  3. Add billing information to your OpenAI account
OpenAI offers the most reliable service with excellent model variety. Start with GPT-5-mini for best value.
These are the models we’ve extensively tested and recommend for code review with Kodus:

Gemini 2.5 Pro

Most Tested & RecommendedGoogle’s latest model with exceptional code understanding, 1M+ token context window, and best cost-benefit ratio.
  • Provider: Google
  • Best for: All-around excellence

Gemini 2.5 Flash

Best ValueUltra-fast and cost-effective without compromising quality. Perfect for high-volume teams.
  • Provider: Google
  • Best for: Budget-conscious teams

Claude 4.5 Sonnet

Best for CodeExceptional coding capabilities with 77.2% SWE-Bench performance. Outstanding at understanding complex codebases.
  • Provider: Anthropic
  • Best for: Code quality focus

Claude 4.1 Opus

Premium QualityTop-tier model for the most demanding code reviews and complex architectural analysis.
  • Provider: Anthropic
  • Best for: Enterprise projects

GPT-5

Latest InnovationOpenAI’s newest model with cutting-edge capabilities and competitive pricing.
  • Provider: OpenAI
  • Best for: Latest features

GPT-5-mini

Fast & ReliableExcellent balance of speed, cost, and quality from OpenAI.
  • Provider: OpenAI
  • Best for: Reliability on budget
Our recommendation: Start with Gemini 2.5 Pro for the best overall experience. It’s our most tested model and offers excellent quality at a great price point.

​
Best Practices

​
Security

Dedicated Keys

Create separate API keys specifically for Kodus to better track usage and enhance security

Regular Rotation

Rotate your API keys periodically and update them in Kodus settings

Monitor Usage

Regularly check your provider dashboards for unusual usage patterns

Secure Storage

Never share or commit API keys to code repositories

​
Troubleshooting

Solutions:
  • Verify the API key is correctly copied without extra spaces
  • Check that billing is enabled on your provider account
  • Ensure the API key has the necessary permissions
  • Try generating a new API key if the issue persists
Solutions:
  • Verify the model name matches your provider’s exact format
  • Check if the model is available in your region
  • Ensure your account has access to the specified model
  • Try a different model to test if the issue is model-specific
Solutions:
  • Check your provider’s rate limits and upgrade if needed
  • Consider switching to a provider with higher rate limits
  • Contact your provider support to increase limits
  • Distribute usage across multiple API keys if allowed
Solutions:
  • Verify the base URL format includes the protocol (https://)
  • Check that the endpoint supports OpenAI-compatible API
  • Test the URL directly with a tool like curl or Postman
  • Ensure there are no firewall restrictions blocking the connection
Solutions:
  • Review your usage in the provider dashboard
  • Check if you have rate limits set appropriately
  • Consider switching to a more cost-effective model
  • Set up billing alerts to catch spikes early

​
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Changes take effect immediately for new reviews.
Reviews automatically switch to your fallback model (if configured). Without a fallback, reviews fail until you add credits. Always configure a fallback model.
Primary handles all reviews by default. If it fails (rate limits, downtime, errors), Kodus switches to fallback automatically. You only pay for the model that processes each review.
No. Use different providers (e.g., Google primary, OpenAI fallback) to protect against provider-specific outages.
BYOK ($10/dev/month): You manage API keys, full control, requires setupManaged ($30/dev/month): We handle everything, fixed costs, zero config
Yes. Keys are encrypted at rest and in transit. We never log or store keys in plain text.