Revoke the Key or Close the Account? Distinguishing Two Cleanup Actions on One Aggregator

Two different cleanup actions

When you decide to stop using an LLM API aggregator, you have two main options: revoke your API key or close your account. They serve different purposes:

• Revoking a key immediately invalidates that key so it can no longer be used to make API calls. Your account remains active, and you can generate a new key later if needed.
• Closing your account permanently deactivates your entire account, including all keys, billing history, and any remaining balance. This is a more drastic step.

For most developers who simply want to stop using the service, revoking the key is sufficient and safer.

Why revoking the key is usually enough

Revoking your API key stops all usage immediately. No one can make calls with that key, and you won't incur further charges. Your account stays open, which means:

• You can return later without re-registering.
• Any remaining USDC balance stays in your account (though you may want to withdraw it).
• You avoid the irreversible loss of account history.

If your goal is just to stop using the service, revocation is the cleanest and least destructive action.

When you might need to close the account

Account closure is appropriate when you want to permanently remove your presence from the platform. Consider closing your account if:

• You have no intention of using the service again.
• You want to delete your personal data (subject to the platform's data retention policy).
• You have multiple keys and want to ensure none can be used accidentally.
• You want to simplify your digital footprint.

Note that closing an account is usually irreversible. Any remaining balance may be forfeited or require a withdrawal before closure.

How to revoke an API key

On most aggregator platforms, revoking a key is straightforward:

1. Log in to your account dashboard.
2. Navigate to the API keys section.
3. Locate the key you want to revoke.
4. Click the revoke or delete button and confirm.

The key is invalidated immediately. Any applications using it will receive authentication errors.

How to close your account

Account closure typically requires a few more steps:

1. Ensure you have withdrawn any remaining USDC balance.
2. Revoke all active API keys (optional but recommended).
3. Go to account settings and find the closure option.
4. Follow the prompts to confirm closure.

Some platforms may require email confirmation or a support request. Check the documentation for your specific aggregator.

Before you decide: consider your balance and keys

If you have a positive USDC balance, decide whether to withdraw it before closing. Remember that on this aggregator, you pay official price × 1.3 for usage, and key contributors earn official price × 1.1 (or × 1.2 for premium models) in USDC. Revoking a key does not affect contributor earnings already credited.

Also, if you have multiple keys, revoking one may not stop all usage. Review all keys and revoke any that are no longer needed.

Summary

For most developers, revoking the API key is the right first step when stopping usage. It's quick, reversible, and stops billing. Full account closure is a permanent decision best reserved for when you want to completely remove your account and data. Always withdraw any remaining balance before closing.