
Note:
Rate limit restrictions
- Zia does not consumes any AI calls or API calls from Zoho Creator. However, API rate limits may still apply. These limits are restrictions that the LLM provider imposes on the number of times a user or client can access their services within a specified period of time and vary based on their usage tier and the model consumed.
- Rate limits for LLM providers can be found in their respective official documentation.
- OpenAI rate limits
- Google Gemini rate limits
- Anthropic rate limits
What does this page cover
Learn how to configure Zia with your preferred LLM provider such as Zoho GenAI,
OpenAI,
Google and
Anthropic in Zoho Creator to leverage Gen AI-powered features across your Creator account.
Availability
- Available only in paid plans of Creator.
- Can be configured by super admin and admin.
- AI features can be used by super admin, admins, and developers to build applications.
- When Zia is integrated with Zoho GenAI, all AI features supported by Zoho GenAI can be enabled or disabled by both the super admin and admins.
- When Zia is integrated with external LLM providers instead of Zoho GenAI, only the super admin can enable or disable AI features, except for the Create Applications feature, which can be managed by both the super admin and admins.
- Zia AI Agent feature is currently supported only with the OpenAI LLM provider.
- Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI LLM's are available in all data centers except CN.
- Zoho GenAI is supported in all data centers except CN, JP, and SA. In these data centers, AI features can be accessed by integrating Zia with other supported LLM providers.
1. How to set up Zia
Supported LLM providers |
| Available data centers |
Zoho GenAI | CN, JP, SA |
| All DCs except CN |
| All DCs except CN |
| All DCs except CN |
Setting up Zia is a one-time configuration process. Generate an API key from any supported LLM provider and add it in Zoho Creator to complete the integration. Once integrated, you can enable the required AI features for your account, including:
AI Feature | Supported LLM providers | Manages by (based on the selected LLM provider) |
Zoho GenAI | Other LLM Providers |
| All
| Super admin, Admin | Super admin, Admin |
| All | Super admin, Admin | Super admin |
| All | Super admin, Admin | Super admin |
| All | Super admin, Admin | Super admin |
| All | Super admin, Admin | Super admin |
| OpenAI | Not applicable | Super admin |
Note: The LLM provider configured for Zia applies to all AI features. You cannot select different LLM providers for different features.
2. Prerequisites
If you choose to use Zia with an external LLM provider (
OpenAI,
Google,
Anthropic) instead of Zoho GenAI, you must complete the required setup with the provider before configuring it in Zoho Creator. This involves generating authentication credentials, such as an
API key, to enable the integration.
Zoho GenAI
Zoho GenAI
Zoho GenAI is Zoho’s in-house LLM and is available by default in Zoho Creator. If you prefer Zoho GenAI as LLM provider for Zia, no additional setup or authentication credentials are required. You can skip directly to configure Zia.
OpenAI
OpenAI
Info: If you prefer
OpenAI as the LLM provider, ensure that you are on a paid plan and have sufficient
API credits for your
OpenAI API key to work.
Before configuring
OpenAI in Zia, create an API key from your OpenAI account for authentication.
Follow these steps to generate the API key:
- Navigate to Settings in your OpenAI account and select the Billing section.
- Click the Add Payment Details button in the Settings page and add your required details.

- Navigate to the API keys section and click Create new secret key.

- Enter a name (optional) and choose the required project.
- Click Create secret key to generate the key.
- Copy the generated key and use it in the Zia settings in Zoho Creator, if you've selected OpenAI as your LLM provider.
Google
Google
Info:
- If you choose Google as the LLM provider, you must have a Google Cloud project with billing enabled and access to the Gemini API. Since the API is part of Google Cloud services, an active project and billing setup are necessary to manage usage and access generative AI capabilities.
To use Google with Creator, you’ll need a valid
Google Cloud account. To get the Google AI API key:
- Go to the Google AI Studio.
- Create a new project or select an existing one. Click Get API key in the top menu bar.

- Click +Create API key to generate a new API key. Your existing keys will also be listed in this page.

- Copy the generated key and use it in the Zia settings in Zoho Creator, if you've selected Google as your LLM provider.
Anthropic
Anthropic
Info: If you choose Anthropic as the LLM provider, ensure that your account is subscribed to a supported plan with API access. Refer to the Anthropic documentation for API usage limits and billing details.
To use
Anthropic AI models with Zia in Zoho Creator, you must have an Anthropic account with API access and generate an API key.
Follow the steps below to create your Anthropic API key:
- Sign in to your Anthropic account.
- Click API keys after expanding the left pane.

- Click +Create Key.

- Enter your key name and click Add to continue.

- Copy the generated API key and paste it into the Zia Settings section in Creator when Anthropic is selected as the vendor.

- Navigate to Operations in your Creator account.
- Click Zia in the Applications card. The Settings screen will appear.
If you have already added an API key, then proceed to step 7.
- Select your preferred LLM provider in the Integrate Zia dropdown.
- By default, Zoho GenAI is selected and does not require an API key, as it is Zoho’s in-house LLM and is available in your Creator account at no additional cost.
- If you prefer to use OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google as the LLM provider, you must generate and add the respective API key to enable the integration. Learn how to generate the required API keys
- Click Add API Key in the Configuration tab. A popup will appear.

- Enter the API Key of your selected LLM vendor and click Add.

- To edit or update the key after adding it, click Edit. Modify the key in the pop-up that appears, and click Save.
- To remove an API key, click Delete. This removes the configured key from Zoho Creator.|

Note: After configuring Zia, all supported AI features are enabled by default. These features can be disabled if required. This enables you to leverage the combined capabilities of Zia and GenAI to access the AI features in Creator.
- Click the toggle near the preferred feature to enable or disable it.

4. Manage API usage
Note: When Zoho GenAI is selected as the LLM provider, API usage cannot be monitored because it is a free in house LLM and no usage limits apply.To view the monthly usage of your selected LLM vendor:
- Navigate to Operations in your Creator account and click Zia in the Applications card. The Settings screen will appear.

- Switch to the Usage tab and click the button at the center.

You will be redirected to the respective LLM provider’s sign in page. Log in to the account associated with the configured API key to view detailed usage information.
5. Points to note
Rate limit restrictions
- Zia does not consumes any AI calls or API calls from Zoho Creator. However, API rate limits may still apply. These limits are restrictions that the LLM provider imposes on the number of times a user or client can access their services within a specified period of time and vary based on their usage tier and the model consumed.
- Rate limits for LLM providers can be referred by their respective official documentation.
- OpenAI rate limits
- Google Gemini rate limits
- Anthropic rate limits
- When multiple AI features are used in a quick succession, the configured provider’s rate limit may be exceeded. This can result in errors or temporary interruption of AI powered functionality.
For example, if your LLM provider allows 15 requests per minute (RPM) and you attempt to create multiple applications within a short time, the rate limit may be exceeded and trigger an error.
Feature specific limitation
- The Zia AI Agent feature is supported only with OpenAI LLM provider.
- AI features can be enabled or disabled only by the super admin, except for the Create Applications feature, which can be managed by both the super admin and admin.
Privacy
- Zoho Creator constructs prompts based on user input and relevant form metadata to generate contextual responses for AI powered features. All supported GenAI providers, including Zoho GenAI, OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, are committed to maintaining data privacy.
- It is recommended not to include sensitive or confidential information in prompts while using AI features.
- Zoho GenAI is Zoho’s in house LLM and is available at no additional cost. When using Zoho GenAI, your data remains protected within Zoho’s ecosystem.
- Understand Zia features in Creator
- Creating applications using Zia App Builder
- Create forms using Zia assistance
- Generate field suggestions for AI assisted forms
- Understanding AI Agent
- Deluge Zia Task
- Configuring next field suggestions
Previous step
Before configuring Zia in Zoho Creator, ensure that you
understand Zia’s capabilities and its functionalities within Creator.