Getting a Claude 3 API Key and Configuring Custom Instructions

Overview

This guide will walk you through the process of obtaining a Claude 3 API key for integrating AI into your Next.js 14 SaaS application. Additionally, you will learn how to set custom instructions and configure the necessary environment variables.

Step 1: Sign Up for Claude 3

- Go to the Anthropic website.

- If you don't already have an account, click on "Sign Up" and follow the prompts to create a new account.

- Once your account is created, log in to the Claude 3 dashboard.

Step 2: Retrieve Your Claude 3 API Key

- After logging in, navigate to the "API Keys" section in the Claude 3 dashboard.

- Click on the "Create new secret key" button.

- Give your API key a name (e.g., "Next.js App Integration").

- Click "Create" to generate your new API key.

- Once your API key is generated, click the "Copy" button to copy your API key. Make sure to store it in a secure place as you will need it for your application.

Step 3: Add Custom Instructions to .env File

- If you have specific custom instructions, you can add them to your .env file as well.

- Your .env file should look something like this: