The easiest way to use Paywalls in no‑code tools is to replace the model provider URL and key in the tool’s built‑in AI nodes. This keeps your flows simple—no custom HTTP calls or branching required. Custom requests are still supported when you need advanced control.

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Easiest path: swap the base URL

Most AI nodes accept an OpenAI‑compatible endpoint. Set:
  • Base URL: https://api.paywalls.ai/v1
  • API Key: your Paywalls API key (server/secret credential)
  • Model: keep the same model id (e.g., openai/gpt-4o-mini) or choose from your configured models
  • User: provide a stable id if the node supports it (body user or a header field)

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n8n (Agents / OpenAI nodes)

  • Open the AI node (e.g., Agent, Chat Model, OpenAI node).
  • Provider: OpenAI (or OpenAI‑compatible).
  • Advanced/Custom host: set Base URL to https://api.paywalls.ai/v1.
  • API Key: set a credential holding your Paywalls key.
  • Model: select your desired model (e.g., openai/gpt-4o-mini).
  • Optional: add a stable user field if supported to enable per‑user metering.
Result: Paywalls handles pricing, metering, and authorization automatically. If the user must authorize or top up, the model’s assistant message will include a link—just pass the reply through your flow.

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Zapier (AI Actions / AI by Zapier)

  • In an AI step that supports an OpenAI‑compatible provider, set Base URL to https://api.paywalls.ai/v1.
  • Use your Paywalls API key as the credential.
  • Keep the rest of your prompt/chain as‑is.

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Alternative: Custom HTTP request (when needed)

If your tool or step doesn’t expose model settings, call the Chat Completions API directly.
  • URL: POST https://api.paywalls.ai/v1/chat/completions
  • Headers: Authorization: Bearer <PAYWALLS_API_KEY>, Content-Type: application/json
  • Optional: X-Paywall-User: <user_id> if you can’t put user in the body
  • Body: { model, user, messages, stream? }
Behavior: If authorization/top‑up is required, you’ll still receive a normal assistant message with the correct link. Show it as the response in your UI or next step—no special branching needed.

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Advanced: custom payments and manual charges

For more complex flows (your own checkout, per‑tool fees, post‑processing charges), call these endpoints directly from your no‑code tool:
  • Deposit credits (credit a user after your checkout succeeds): POST https://api.paywalls.ai/v1/user/balance/deposit
  • Charge user (manual one‑off debit for actions outside token metering): POST https://api.paywalls.ai/v1/user/charge
Headers
  • Authorization: Bearer <PAYWALLS_API_KEY>
  • Content-Type: application/json
  • Idempotency-Key: <stable-request-id> (strongly recommended)
Typical JSON body
  • user: stable pseudonymous user id
  • amount: string value in your configured currency (e.g., “1.50”)
  • metadata: optional JSON with your payment reference (payment_intent, checkout_session, internal ids)
Zapier (Webhooks → Custom Request)
  • Method: POST
  • URL: one of the endpoints above
  • Data: JSON with user, amount, metadata
  • Headers: add the three headers listed above
n8n (HTTP Request)
  • Method: POST
  • URL: one of the endpoints above
  • Send: JSON
  • Body: user, amount, optional metadata
  • Headers: add the three headers listed above
Behavior notes
  • Default mode: use Deposit after your own payment succeeds; makes the balance available for future usage charges.
  • Shared mode: POST /user/charge may return success: false with an assistant message containing an authorization or top‑up link—forward that message to your user.
  • Always reuse the same Idempotency‑Key when retrying to prevent duplicate deposits/charges.
API reference
  • Deposit: api-reference/user/balance/deposit/post.mdx
  • Charge: api-reference/user/charge/post.mdx

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Tips

  • Store PAYWALLS_API_KEY as a secret/credential inside your tool; never hardcode in steps.
  • Always pass a stable pseudonymous user to get accurate per‑user balances and analytics.
  • Use Shared mode for zero‑setup launches; switch to Default mode with Stripe when you want direct capture.
Coming soon: official templates and screenshots for n8n and Zapier.