Connect your AI provider

You’ll give Structura access to an AI model so it can actually write posts and generate images. Structura supports OpenAI, Gemini and Claude. Every plan that runs on your own key can connect all three.

There are two ways to connect:

BYOK (Bring Your Own Key): you paste an API key from OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude. Structura uses your key, your account pays for usage. Available on the Free and BYOK plans, and in the plugin without an account.
Cloud: Structura runs the AI for you. No API keys, no provider accounts, predictable monthly price. Available on the Cloud plan, which uses AI chosen by Structura.

If you’re not sure which to pick, read BYOK vs Cloud — which to pick. This page covers both paths.

Which provider to connect

For writing posts, we recommend Anthropic. If you can’t use Anthropic, OpenAI is the next choice. Gemini isn’t recommended for writing: in our tests, its posts contained more invented details. You can still use it, and Structura shows advice in the campaign form with a way to switch.

Anthropic doesn’t create images, so for featured images connect Gemini or OpenAI as well. For images we recommend Gemini, with OpenAI as the next choice. Without an account, the plugin writes text only; images need the Free plan or higher.

Before you start

Your license is activated (see Activate your license).
For BYOK: an API key from a supported provider, and a non-zero balance on the provider account. Most providers require you to add a payment method before they issue keys.

Steps — BYOK

In WordPress admin, go to Structura → AI Engine.
Under the Available Providers section, find the provider you want to use (OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Anthropic Claude) and click Set Up. Providers are listed Claude, OpenAI, Gemini. Claude carries a Recommended for text label and Gemini a Recommended for images label.
A setup wizard opens. In the first step, paste your API key and click Save & Continue. Structura immediately runs a test call against the provider to confirm the key works.
In the Configure step, Use recommended model is on by default. Structura then uses the model we recommend for this provider, and moves it when a better one proves itself. We suggest leaving this choice with us. Switch it off to pick a model from the list yourself; the model you pick stays until you change it. The same switch covers images for OpenAI and Gemini. See AI settings for the model behind each tier.
On the final step, decide whether this provider should be the site’s Default Text provider, Default Image provider, or both. Click Done.
The provider card moves from Available Providers to Your Providers at the top of the page, with a green dot and a “Default Text” or “Default Image” badge.

At least one text provider is required. Image providers are optional — if you don’t connect one, featured-image generation is disabled but text posts still work.

Steps — Cloud

If you’re on Cloud, there’s nothing to connect and no step to follow. Structura’s AI writes your posts and creates your images from the start. You don’t choose a provider or model on this plan, so you won’t see provider or model settings for writing.

What happens next

With at least one text provider connected and marked Default Text, Structura can generate posts. New campaigns start on the best provider you’ve connected, with its recommended model. Head to Your first campaign to set up the thing that actually runs.

Switching providers later

You can change providers any time from the same AI Engine screen. Click Manage on a connected provider to update the key, change the default model, or remove it. Changing the default provider takes effect on the next generation — already-queued work completes with whatever was selected when it started.

Common issues

“Connection test failed.” Most likely your key doesn’t have the permission that provider needs, or the account has a $0 balance. Check the provider’s dashboard and confirm the key is active and funded.

Models I expected aren’t in the dropdown. Structura ships with a curated model list per provider — this is intentional, so we can test and support the ones we ship. Models from the previous generation no longer appear; a campaign that used one now writes with the current model of the same tier. If you need a specific model that isn’t listed, let us know.

Last updated October 12, 2026