Getting Your DeepSeek API Key
This guide will help you obtain an API key from DeepSeek to use their language models with EZ Testing.
Prerequisites
- Valid email address
- Phone number (for account verification)
- Payment method (may be required for higher usage tiers)
- Web browser
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Create a DeepSeek Account
- Navigate to DeepSeek Platform
- Click "Sign Up" or "Register"
- Choose your registration method:
- Email and password
- Phone number
- Third-party authentication (if available)
- Fill in the required information
- Click "Create Account" or "Register"
[Image placeholder: DeepSeek registration page]
2. Verify Your Account
- Email Verification: Check your email for a verification message from DeepSeek
- Click the verification link in the email
- Phone Verification (if required):
- Enter your phone number
- Enter the SMS verification code
- Complete the verification process
[Image placeholder: DeepSeek verification process]
3. Complete Your Profile
- Log into your DeepSeek account
- Complete any required profile information
- Accept the terms of service and usage policies
- Verify any additional account requirements
4. Access the API Section
- Navigate to the "API" section in your account dashboard
- Look for "API Keys" or "Credentials" in the sidebar
- Review the API documentation and usage guidelines
[Image placeholder: DeepSeek dashboard/API section]
5. Generate Your API Key
- Click "Create API Key" or "Generate New Key"
- Provide a descriptive name for your key (e.g., "EZ Testing Integration")
- Select the appropriate permissions or access level
- Click "Generate" or "Create"
- Important: Copy the API key immediately and store it securely
[Image placeholder: API key generation dialog]
6. Set Up Billing (if required)
If DeepSeek requires payment setup for API access:
- Navigate to "Billing" or "Payment" section
- Add your payment method
- Set up spending limits or budgets
- Configure usage alerts
[Image placeholder: DeepSeek billing setup]
Configuration in EZ Testing
To configure DeepSeek in EZ Testing:
- Open EZ Testing settings
- Go to LLM Configuration or API Settings
- Select DeepSeek as your provider
- Enter your API key
- Choose your preferred DeepSeek model:
deepseek-chat(general conversation)deepseek-coder(code generation and analysis)deepseek-math(mathematical reasoning)
Available Models
DeepSeek offers several specialized models:
| Model | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| DeepSeek Chat | General conversational AI | General Q&A, conversations |
| DeepSeek Coder | Code-focused model | Programming, code review, debugging |
| DeepSeek Math | Mathematical reasoning | Math problems, calculations |
Model availability may vary by region and account tier. Check your DeepSeek dashboard for current model access.
Usage Limits and Pricing
Free Tier
- Limited API calls per day/month
- Rate limiting may apply
- Good for testing and small-scale usage
Paid Tiers
- Higher rate limits
- Priority access
- Extended model access
- Pay-per-use or subscription models
Check the DeepSeek Pricing page for current rates and limits.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
"Invalid API key" error
- Ensure the API key was copied correctly (no extra spaces)
- Verify the key hasn't been revoked
- Check that your account is in good standing
"Access denied" error
- Verify your account has API access enabled
- Check if your region is supported
- Ensure any required verification steps are completed
"Rate limit exceeded" error
- Check your current usage in the DeepSeek dashboard
- Wait for the rate limit to reset
- Consider upgrading to a higher tier
"Model not available" error
- Verify the model name is correct
- Check if the model is available in your region
- Ensure your account tier has access to the requested model
Account Issues
Registration problems
- Check that all required fields are filled correctly
- Verify your email/phone number can receive messages
- Clear browser cache and try again
- Contact DeepSeek support if issues persist
Verification issues
- Check spam/junk folders for verification emails
- Ensure SMS can be received on your phone
- Wait a few minutes and request verification resend
- Try different verification methods if available
Security Best Practices
Keep your API key secure and never share it publicly or include it in client-side code.
Key Management
- Store API keys in environment variables
- Use secure credential management systems
- Regularly rotate your API keys
- Monitor API usage for suspicious activity
Access Control
- Create separate keys for different environments (dev, staging, prod)
- Use the minimum required permissions
- Regularly audit and revoke unused keys
- Set up usage alerts and spending limits
Testing Your Integration
After setup, test your DeepSeek integration:
- Send a simple test query through EZ Testing
- Verify the response is generated correctly
- Check response format and quality
- Monitor usage in your DeepSeek dashboard
Example test prompt:
Hello! Please confirm that the DeepSeek API connection is working properly.
API Documentation
For advanced usage and integration:
- Review the DeepSeek API Documentation
- Check model-specific parameters and options
- Understand rate limiting and error handling
- Review best practices for optimal performance
Next Steps
Additional Resources
- DeepSeek Official Website
- DeepSeek Platform Documentation
- DeepSeek Model Information
- Community Forum (if available)
DeepSeek is a relatively new provider, and their platform interface may evolve. If you notice discrepancies between this guide and the current interface, please refer to their official documentation or contact their support team.