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Beta Tester Setup ​

Welcome to the Pencel beta program. This page covers the beta-specific setup steps — invite code redemption and free testing credits — before you follow the regular Quickstart.

Redeeming your invite code ​

Your invite code unlocks $20 in free testing credits, which lets you use Pencel's built-in AI provider without supplying your own API key during the beta period.

Step 1: Sign in ​

Signing in is required before you can use any model (including your own key), and you must be signed in to redeem a code. On first launch you accept the Terms of Service and sign in as part of onboarding. If you skipped it:

  1. Open Pencel and click Settings in the sidebar.
  2. Go to the Account section and sign in with Google or your email.

Step 2: Enable analytics ​

The beta program requires analytics to be enabled (this is what ties your credits to your account). To check:

  1. In Settings, go to Privacy.
  2. Make sure Analytics is turned on.

INFO

Pencel does not collect your workspace data or AI conversation content. Analytics is limited to aggregate usage signals (feature opens, run counts) used to improve the product during the beta period.

Step 3: Enter the invite code ​

During onboarding:

If you are on the onboarding wizard, click "I have an invite code" on the API Key step. Enter your code and click Redeem. Your testing credits are applied immediately.

After onboarding:

  1. Go to Settings → Credentials → LLM Providers.
  2. Find the Invite Code section near the bottom.
  3. Enter your code and click Redeem.

Once redeemed, you see a confirmation and your credits appear in the Cost & Usage section.

Using your testing credits ​

After redeeming, you can use Pencel without providing your own Anthropic API key. The platform key is activated automatically and your $20 balance is deducted as you use agents and run workflows.

TIP

$20 goes a long way during testing. A typical agent run (chat or workflow step) costs $0.01–$0.05 depending on the model and task length. You have budget for hundreds of runs during the beta.

To check your remaining credits: Go to Settings → Cost & Usage.

INFO

Beta testing credits are promo credits — separate from the monthly allocation on a paid Pro Desktop subscription (150 credits/month). If you have both, Pencel spends your subscription credits first, then any top-ups, and promo credits last, so your beta balance isn't consumed until the others are gone.

Bringing your own API key (optional) ​

If you prefer to use your own Anthropic, Google, or OpenAI key instead of (or alongside) the testing credits:

  1. Go to Settings → Credentials → LLM Providers.
  2. Add your key for the desired provider.
  3. Your own key takes priority for that provider when set.

See Installation for instructions on getting API keys from each provider.

What to do next ​

Once your invite code is redeemed, follow the Quickstart to create your first agent and workflow. If you completed onboarding, a starter solution pack (such as RFP Scout) is already installed — open Solutions or Jobs to see it. For how sign-in, subscriptions, credits, and BYOK relate, see Accounts & sign-in.

If you have any questions or run into issues, use the feedback channel your testing coordinator provided.