🛡️

Your API Key is your private key. iXentBench reads it directly from your computer — it is never uploaded, shared or sent anywhere. Think of it like a PIN code: only you have it and only your computer uses it.

1 What is the .env file?

The .env file is a simple text file that lives in your ~/ixentbench folder. It stores your API Key so iXentBench knows which AI model to use when you play.

⚠️ It starts with a dot (.) which makes it hidden by default on Mac and Windows. Don't worry — the steps below will show you exactly how to open it.

2 How to open the .env file

1️⃣

Open Finder and go to your Home folder.
Click Go in the top menu → Home.

2️⃣

Press Cmd + Shift + . (Command + Shift + dot) to show hidden files.
You will now see the ixentbench folder.

3️⃣

Open the ixentbench folder and find the .env file.
Right click on it → Open With → TextEdit.

4️⃣

Find the line for your AI model (e.g. GOOGLE_API_KEY=)
and paste your key right after the = sign. No spaces.

5️⃣

Press Cmd + S to save the file. Done!

1️⃣

Open File Explorer and go to your user folder.
Type %USERPROFILE% in the address bar and press Enter.

2️⃣

Click View in the top menu → check Hidden items.
You will now see the ixentbench folder.

3️⃣

Open the ixentbench folder and find the .env file.
Right click on it → Open With → Notepad.

4️⃣

Find the line for your AI model (e.g. GOOGLE_API_KEY=)
and paste your key right after the = sign. No spaces.

5️⃣

Press Ctrl + S to save the file. Done!

1️⃣

Open your file manager and enable hidden files.
Usually: View → Show Hidden Files or press Ctrl + H.

2️⃣

Navigate to your Home folder and open the ixentbench folder.

3️⃣

Right click on .env → Open With Text Editor.

4️⃣

Find the line for your AI model and paste your key after the = sign.

5️⃣

Save the file. Done!

3 Where to get your API Key

Choose the AI model you want to use and get your free API Key from the provider's website.

🔵 Gemini (Google)

Get Key →

🟣 Claude (Anthropic)

Get Key →

🟢 GPT (OpenAI)

Get Key →

⚫ Grok (xAI)

Get Key →

🐳 DeepSeek

Get Key →

4 How to paste your key correctly

Once you have your API Key, open your .env file and find the line for your provider. Paste your key directly after the = sign — no spaces.

❌

Wrong: GOOGLE_API_KEY= AIzaSyXXXXX
Space after = is not allowed

✅

Correct examples:
GOOGLE_API_KEY=AIzaSyXXXXX  ← Gemini (Google)
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-XXXXX  ← Claude (Anthropic)
OPENAI_API_KEY=sk-XXXXX  ← GPT (OpenAI)
GROK_API_KEY=xai-XXXXX  ← Grok (xAI)
DEEPSEEK_API_KEY=sk-XXXXX  ← DeepSeek
Only fill in the key for the model you want to use. Leave the others empty.

5 How to set up a Local Model (Optional)

If you prefer to run open-source models (like Llama 3 or Mistral) on your own machine using Ollama or LM Studio, you don't need an API Key. You can pre-configure your local server URL in the .env file.

💻

Correct examples for LOCAL_MODEL_URL:
LOCAL_MODEL_URL=http://localhost:11434/v1  ← Ollama
LOCAL_MODEL_URL=http://localhost:1234/v1  ← LM Studio
LOCAL_MODEL_URL=http://localhost:8080/v1  ← llama.cpp
By setting this, you can run ixentbench play --session XXX without typing the URL in the terminal every time.

✅

You're all set! Your configuration is saved and iXentBench will use it automatically every time you play. You never need to type it again.

🚀 Ready to play!

Open your terminal, go to ixentlabs.com to create your session, then run:

ixentbench play --session YOUR_SESSION_ID

Need help? Visit ixentlabs.com