AI setup in three steps

Create a key → paste it once → try one sample. No coding needed.

1. Create your provider key and check billing. In LUC, open Settings → AI Provider and choose your provider. Its setup guide opens the provider’s own key and billing pages. An API key is a private access code, not your password. Review API credits, recharges and usage controls; a chat subscription can have separate API billing.
2. Paste and save. A supported model is already selected. Paste your key and choose Save & use provider. Saving does not make an AI request. The key stays protected on that computer and is excluded from workspace backups.
3. Try one sample. The optional Save & test connection sends a short request with no student work and may incur a small provider charge. Try one made-up marking example before a full class and review each result.

LUC adds no AI usage charge. Your chosen provider bills your usage. Provider budget alerts are not always hard spending caps. Keep keys private. Review school permission and data-use terms before sending student information; do not send personal information to unpaid Gemini API services. Manual grading works without an AI connection.

The full provider-specific guide and troubleshooting instructions are bundled inside Settings and Tutorials. Help: reece@levelupclassroom.com. Never email your key or student work.