What is API?
A way for apps and developers to use an AI model from their own code, usually paid per use (per token or per image).
Chat apps are made for people; APIs are made for software. Through an API, a developer can send prompts to a model and get results back automatically — powering things like a WhatsApp bot, an auto-caption tool or a customer-support assistant.
API use is typically billed by tokens (for text) or by images and seconds (for media). Prices and limits change often, so always check the provider's current pricing page.
Example
An Instagram scheduling app that writes captions for you is usually calling an AI model through its API.
Related terms
The small chunks of text an AI model reads and writes — roughly a word or part of a word. Limits and pricing are counted in tokens.
A setting that controls how predictable or creative an AI's output is — low for consistent answers, high for variety.
An AI system that doesn't just answer — it plans steps and uses tools (browser, apps, code) to complete a task for you.
