Unlimited AI Access for Free Users with BYOK
Read the full note here, then bring the context into chat if you want help applying it to your own claim-prep workflow.
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We just shipped the feature free users have been asking for: unlimited AI chat access with your own xAI API key. Any veteran can keep ValorAI's workflows and prompts without paying for a subscription, while paying xAI directly for the model usage they consume.
What is BYOK?
Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) lets you connect your personal xAI (Grok) API key to ValorAI. Once configured, AI responses use your key instead of ours. You pay xAI directly based on usage, and we never see a dime of that transaction.
This means:
- No managed message cap – Chat as much as you need
- No subscription required – ValorAI Elite stays free
- Veteran-focused workflows – Keep ValorAI prompts, context, and tools
- Your choice of Grok model – Use the xAI-backed chat experience already live in ValorAI
- Complete control – Add, validate, or remove keys anytime
How it works
- Get an API key from xAI Console
- Go to Settings → API Keys in your ValorAI dashboard
- Paste your key and click Save
- Start chatting – unlimited chat access on your own xAI usage
Your key is encrypted with AES-256-GCM before storage. We validate it against the provider's API to confirm it works, but we never store the plaintext version. You can see the key prefix (like "sk-proj...") for identification, and delete it with one click if needed.
Security first
We built BYOK with the same security standards we use for VA data:
- End-to-end encryption using industry-standard AES-256-GCM
- Key validation before accepting any new key
- Automatic fallback to system keys if yours fails
- Zero sharing – your key never leaves our secure database
- Instant deletion – remove your key anytime, no questions asked
Every API call uses your key directly with xAI. ValorAI still provides the veteran-focused system prompts, context loading, and tool orchestration, but the actual model inference runs on your budget.
Why we built this
Veterans deserve access to AI tools that understand their benefits landscape. But not everyone can afford a subscription while waiting for claims to process. BYOK removes that barrier.
If you already have an xAI account for work or personal projects, you can now use that same key with ValorAI. BYOK is the lowest-friction path when you want unlimited chat without taking on a managed subscription.
This isn't about hiding Plus. Veterans who want managed billing, built-in document analysis, and higher included usage can still move to Plus. But for veterans who just need reliable AI guidance through the claims process, BYOK makes that possible on the free path with their own key.
What stays the same
Even with your own key, you get:
- ValorAI system prompts – veteran-focused, benefits-aware instructions
- Tool calling – Reddit search, VA forms detection, context loading
- Personalization – chat preferences, user context, service history
- Security – PII redaction, audit logging, encrypted storage
- Support – support center and knowledge base
The only difference is who pays for the model inference. Everything else is still powered by ValorAI's infrastructure.
Try it today
Head to Settings → API Keys and add your xAI key. If you don't have one yet, sign up at console.x.ai.
We're watching feedback closely and will iterate on the UX over the next few weeks. If you run into issues or have ideas for improvement, drop a note through support or send product feedback.
This is what "veteran-first" means: removing barriers between you and the tools that help you get what you've earned.
- Team ValorAI
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