How to Connect ChatGPT From OpenAI to Your Dashboard
OpenAI powers the AI-assisted DM replies in Inbox Assistant (smart replies to incoming DMs) and the AI Welcome DM feature in Wolf Engager Pro. This guide walks you through getting set up.
Step 1 — Create your OpenAI account
- Go to https://platform.openai.com/signup
- Sign up with email or a supported login (Google, Microsoft, Apple)
- Verify your email + phone number
- Add a payment method (OpenAI requires this before issuing API keys)
💡 API usage isn't free — OpenAI charges per request. Most accounts spend $5–20/month for normal DM volumes. See "Cost expectations" below.
Step 2 — Generate your API key
- Log into OpenAI → https://platform.openai.com/api-keys
- Click Create new secret key
- Give it a name (e.g. "Wolf Growth")
- Copy the key immediately — OpenAI won't show it again after you close the window
The key looks like sk-proj-AbCd123... — long string starting with sk- .
⚠️ Treat the key like a password. Anyone with this key can spend your OpenAI credits. Never paste it into chats, screenshots, or public forums.
Step 3 — Add it to Wolf Growth
For Inbox Assistant (DM replies)
- Open your account in Inbox Assistant
- Find the OpenAI API Key field in account settings
- Paste your key → click Save
- Click Test Connection — you should see a green "Connected" status
For Wolf Engager Pro (Welcome DM AI)
- Open your task in Wolf Engager Pro
- Find the AI Agent (Open AI) section
- Paste your key → click Save
- The status indicator will turn green when accepted
Step 4 — Configure the AI behavior
Both Inbox Assistant and Wolf Engager Pro let you customize:
- Model —
gpt-5-miniis fastest/cheapest (recommended default),gpt-4.1is more capable but more expensive - Default instructions (Prompt) — what role the AI plays. Default: "You are the account manager for @username. Help users and answer questions about the services, products, and content..." — customize for your brand voice.
- Max tokens — response length cap. 1024 is plenty for DM replies.
- Temperature — 0 (deterministic) to 2 (creative). 1.0 is balanced.
- Max contacts per interval — caps how many AI replies you'll spend on per interval (cost control)
What the AI does
| Feature | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Smart DM replies | Inbox Assistant | Replies to incoming DMs in your voice |
| Auto-reply rules | Inbox Assistant | Triggers a custom AI reply when keywords match |
| Voice message transcription | Inbox Assistant | Transcribes voice notes via Whisper, replies with text |
| Welcome DM (AI mode) | Wolf Engager Pro | Generates a unique welcome message for each new follower |
Cost expectations
Rough monthly OpenAI costs at typical volumes:
| Daily DM volume | Approx monthly OpenAI cost (gpt-5-mini) |
|---|---|
| 10–25 replies/day | $3–8 |
| 50–100 replies/day | $10–25 |
| 200+ replies/day | $30–60+ |
Bigger model (gpt-4.1) ≈ 3× more expensive. Most customers stay on gpt-5-mini.
Security best practices
- ✅ Use a dedicated key for Wolf Growth (not one shared with other tools — easier to revoke if compromised)
- ✅ Enable two-factor authentication on your OpenAI account
- ✅ Set a monthly spend limit in OpenAI billing settings (prevents runaway charges)
- ✅ Rotate the key every 3–6 months for hygiene
- ✅ Periodically review AI-generated responses in your Inbox Assistant Activity Log — catch awkward replies before customers do
Troubleshooting
"Invalid API key" error
- Copy the key again — make sure no spaces or line breaks
- Confirm the key still exists in OpenAI's dashboard (it wasn't revoked)
"Insufficient quota" error
- Add a payment method or top up credits in OpenAI billing
AI replies stop suddenly
- Check OpenAI's status page for outages
- Check your monthly spend limit isn't hit
- Try the Test Connection button to confirm the key still works
Need help?
Reach out to your Growth Team — we can review your prompt, suggest improvements, and help you tune the AI for your niche.