Before You Start
Get started with LaoZhang API in just 5 minutes. This guide shows how to:- Access 200+ AI models through a single unified API
- Use existing OpenAI SDK with minimal code changes
- Integrate with enterprise billing and account credit controls
The documentation default is now
api2.laozhang.ai. Europe/US users can use the direct overseas route api-vip.laozhang.ai without a CDN. The global Cloudflare fallback is api-cf.laozhang.ai, but a synchronous request with no response data may reach the approximately 120-second proxy read timeout. See the API domain migration notice.Step 1: Create Account and Add Credits
Create Account
1
Sign Up
Visit LaoZhang API to create your account with a Gmail addressNew accounts receive $0.5 test credits for API connectivity verification
2
Verify Email
- Enter your Gmail address
- Create a secure password (8+ characters)
- Verify your email via the confirmation link
3
Access Console
Log in to your console dashboardYou’ll see:
- Account balance with test credits
- Usage statistics and history
- API key management
Account Credit and Enterprise Billing
- Account Credit
- Billing Review
- Enterprise
- Confirm whether the account is for development testing, internal tools, or production integration
- Check account credit and billing status in the console
- Contact support before production use or enterprise procurement
Credit Information:
- Test credits for connectivity verification
- Account credit updates after console or support confirmation
- Enterprise inquiries: hi@laozhang.ai
Step 2: Get Your API Key
Generate Your API Key
- Use Default Key (Quickest)
- Create Custom Key
- Navigate to Token Management
- Locate your Default Token
- Click Copy to clipboard
Step 3: Make Your First API Call
Test Your Integration
- Online Playground (Recommended)
- cURL Command
Test instantly in the API Playground:
- Select a model (e.g.,
gemini-3.6-flash) - Enter a test prompt: “Hello, introduce yourself”
- Click Send
Integration Configuration
Remember These Three Things
Complete Examples in Different Languages
- Python (Most Common)
- Node.js / TypeScript
- Curl / Command Line
Next Steps
Congratulations! You’ve successfully integrated LaoZhang API. Next you can:View API Documentation
Learn about complete API interface documentation
Explore Model List
View all supported AI models
Integrate into Apps
Integrate LaoZhang API into various tools
View Usage Statistics
Monitor usage in console
Common Questions Quick Reference
How to tell if integration is successful?
How to tell if integration is successful?
Three signs:
- API call returns normal results (no errors)
- Response time under 1 second
- Can see call records in console
How to choose the right model?
How to choose the right model?
Choose by scenario:Programming Development:
- First choice:
claude-sonnet-5 - Alternative:
gpt-5.6-terra
- First choice:
gpt-5.6 - Alternative:
claude-sonnet-5
- First choice:
gemini-3.6-flash - Alternative:
gpt-5.6-luna
- First choice:
gemini-3.5-flash-lite - Alternative:
gpt-5.6-luna
What if my API key is leaked?
What if my API key is leaked?
Immediate actions:
- Go to Token Management
- Revoke the compromised key immediately
- Generate a new API key
- Update the key in all your applications
- Always use environment variables
- Never hardcode keys in source code
- Set spending limits per key
- Rotate keys every 90 days
What happens when credits run out?
What happens when credits run out?
Options available:
- Confirm account credit with your account owner or support
- Switch to a current lower-cost model (for example,
gemini-3.5-flash-liteorgpt-5.6-luna) - Optimize your usage with
max_tokenslimits
- Monitor usage in the console dashboard
- Set budget alerts
- Use streaming for better user experience
What payment methods are supported?
What payment methods are supported?
Enterprise billing options:
- Contract or email-confirmed billing arrangement
- Bank transfer for enterprise accounts
- Invoice and account credit review
Tip: Save your API key properly and check usage logs in the console regularly. Every request has message history for reasonable cost optimization.