Numas Field · Guide
Setting up the AI features
Numas Field's AI report draft is optional and uses your own personal key (BYOK model). Here's how to get one and where to enter it.
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The app already works without a key
Surveys, geotagged photos with hashing, sketches, LiDAR measurements, hydrant tests, signed PDFs and full case export need no setup at all. The AI module — a draft of the technical report generated from your survey data — is an optional extra you enable only if you want.
How it works (BYOK)
The AI features rely on your personal key from an external provider: Claude (Anthropic), OpenAI or Google Gemini. You create the key on the provider's site and paste it into the app under Settings → AI Provider. Numas is not an intermediary: it's a direct relationship between you and the provider — and the draft stays a draft: you review it and sign the final report yourself.
How much it costs
AI calls are billed per use, directly by the provider, never by Numas. For typical use — a few report drafts a week — it's usually a few euros per month. It's worth setting a spending limit in the provider's dashboard so there are no surprises.
Where to start for free
If you just want to try it out, Google Gemini offers a free tier with no credit card (with daily limits): it's the simplest starting point. Claude and OpenAI require a small prepaid credit instead.
Keeping your key safe
The key is like a password: personal and private, never to be shared. In the app it's stored in the device Keychain. Each device has its own store: a key entered on iPad does not sync to the Mac, it must be re-entered on each device.
Getting the key, provider by provider
Claude (Anthropic)
console.anthropic.com ↗
- Create an Anthropic account, or sign in if you already have one.
- Go to Settings → API Keys.
- Click "Create Key" and give it a name.
- Copy the key right away: it's shown only once.
- Paste it into Numas Field → Settings → AI Provider.
Requires a payment method or purchased credits before use. The key starts with sk-ant-.
OpenAI
platform.openai.com ↗
- Create an OpenAI account, or sign in with your ChatGPT credentials.
- Verify your phone number.
- Go to API keys → "Create new secret key" and give it a name.
- Copy the key right away: it's shown only once.
- Paste it into Numas Field → Settings → AI Provider.
Requires prepaid credit (minimum ~$5). Note: a ChatGPT Plus subscription does not include API access, it's separate. The key starts with sk-proj- or sk-.
Google Gemini
Free to start
aistudio.google.com ↗
- Sign in with a Google account.
- Click "Get API key".
- Select or create a Google Cloud project.
- Create and copy the key.
- Paste it into Numas Field → Settings → AI Provider.
Has a free tier with no credit card (with daily limits), ideal to get started. The key starts with AIza.
Warnings
- Never share your key publicly or enter it into third-party sites or code.
- Set a spending limit in the provider's dashboard to avoid unexpected charges.
- Always review the AI-generated draft: professional responsibility for the report stays with the person who signs it.
- Provider steps and screens can change over time: when in doubt, refer to the provider's official documentation.
The AI features are optional. Numas never receives your key or any payment from API usage: the cost is handled directly with the provider.