BYOK: paying for subject-model and judge calls
BYOK (“bring your own key”) means that subject-model trials use the researcher's own OpenRouter API key and are billed by OpenRouter at its current provider rates. Judge-model calls may use the same key but are separate usage and can add separate charges.
What "BYOK (Bring Your Own Key)" means
The investigator supplies a key for the subject-model API requests. The total depends on the provider's current rates, selected models, token use and the number of calls; platform plan charges and limits are a separate matter.
In a prompt-sensitivity study, the researcher's OpenRouter account is charged for subject responses, with any judge coding calls billed as separate usage.
Provider rates, model availability and actual token use vary, so estimates cannot guarantee a final bill.
Related terms
Method Specification Prompt (MSP)
A generated method summary that helps researchers inspect and report study procedures.Factorial & fractional factorial design
Full vs. fractional crossing of factor levels, aliasing trade-offs, and when to use each.Machine psychology
Studying LLMs as behavioral subjects with experimental methods from psychology.
How AIScholar uses it
AIScholar uses the researcher's OpenRouter key for subject-model trials; judge-model calls can also use that key and incur separate provider charges. AIScholar plan features and limits are distinct from these provider costs.
See the method in action.
Explore an illustrative prompt-sensitivity study, then review execution costs and scope before planning your own.