Coding with API keys
With a Coding API key, you can use programming tools that work with an OpenAI-compatible API. The tool sends requests to AI-School. AI-School checks the key, budget, validity period and allowed models.
AI-School then processes the request through the technical connection of the environment.
What do you need?
You need three details:
| Detail | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| API key | You receive this from an administrator or teacher |
| Endpoint | https://europe-west1-ai-school-pro.cloudfunctions.net/coderenOpenAiCompatibleApi/v1 |
| Model name | For example gpt-5.4-mini, gpt-5.4 or gpt-5.5 |
The API key starts with ais.. Treat this key like a password.
Which model should you choose?
For most students, GPT-5.4 mini is the best starting point. This model is cheaper and suitable for programming help during lessons.
For teachers or advanced students, GPT-5.4 or GPT-5.5 may be a better fit, for example for larger projects or more complex code.
Which tool should you choose?
AI-School recommends two tools:
| Tool | Recommended for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Aider | Students and classroom coding | Explicit, clear and less agentic |
| OpenCode | Teachers and advanced users | Agentic CLI tool with a desktop application |
Aider for students
Aider works as a pair-programming tool in the terminal. The user asks for help, sees changes and stays close to the code. This fits learning to program: the student gets support, but remains involved in what happens.
See also the official Aider documentation.
OpenCode for advanced use
OpenCode is more agentic. The tool can independently perform steps, edit files and work through tasks. This is powerful, but also requires more understanding of code, git and local development environments.
See also the official OpenCode documentation.
Handle keys safely
Do not share your API key publicly and do not put it in code you share.
Prefer using:
- environment variables
- a local
.envthat is not committed to git - the tool's built-in configuration
Never place API keys in a public repository, Teams chat, shared document or screenshot.
If the key does not work
Check:
- whether Coding is enabled for the environment
- whether your key is still active
- whether the budget is not exhausted
- whether the key is within the configured validity period
- whether you are using an allowed model
- whether the endpoint is configured correctly
If in doubt, ask an administrator or teacher to check the key.
Environment variables and OpenCode
For OpenCode, you can store the coding API key in a local .env file in the project folder:
AI_SCHOOL_CODEREN_API_KEY=ais.your-api-key
Make sure OpenCode actually loads this environment variable. In PowerShell you can also set it temporarily for the current terminal:
$env:AI_SCHOOL_CODEREN_API_KEY="ais.your-api-key"
If you see Authorization header met Bearer token is verplicht, the tool did not send the key as Authorization: Bearer .... If you see Unknown parameter, remove provider-specific settings that the AI-School coding endpoint does not support.