I added AI to my docs tool but charge $0 for it. Here's why.
Hey IH,
Just shipped AI writing features in Dokly (my documentation platform). But instead of charging extra like everyone else, I did something different: BYOK (Bring Your Own Key).
The problem with AI pricing:
Every docs platform is adding AI now. Look at what they charge:
- Mintlify: +$150/month for AI features
- GitBook: Enterprise only
- Notion: +$10/user/month
These companies are reselling OpenAI/Anthropic API calls with a 50x markup.
The math:
Let's say your team makes 500 AI requests/month (improving text, expanding sections, fixing grammar).
With Mintlify: $150/month = $0.30 per request
With BYOK using GPT-4o-mini: ~$1-2/month = $0.003 per request
That's $1,776/year in savings.
How BYOK works:
1. Plug in your OpenAI or Anthropic API key
2. Use AI features in the editor (improve, expand, simplify, fix grammar)
3. Pay OpenAI/Anthropic directly at their rates
4. No middleman markup
Your key stays encrypted. We never see it in plaintext.
Why I built it this way:
I'm bootstrapped. I could've added "AI tier" at $50/month and padded revenue.
But that felt gross. GPT-4 and Claude are already great at technical writing. Why charge $150 for something that costs $2?
BYOK is the honest approach:
- You pay actual cost
- I don't profit from your usage
- Everyone wins
The features:
Select any text in your docs:
- ✨ Improve Writing - makes it clearer, more professional
- 📝 Expand Content - adds examples and detail
- 🎯 Simplify Text - technical → readable
- 🔧 Fix Grammar - instant cleanup
Works with OpenAI (faster, cheaper) or Anthropic (better at nuance).
Try it:
Dokly Pro is free for 14 days. AI features included, just add your API key.
Happy to answer questions about the implementation or the decision.
