Poe API Documentation

Fresh 🌱

Welcome to the complete guide for using the Poe API in external applications. This documentation covers everything you need to integrate Poe bots into your applications, scripts, and tools.

What is the Poe API?

The Poe API allows you to programmatically query Poe bots and models from external applications. You can:

• Query any Poe bot (GPT-5, Claude, Grok, etc.) using Python or the OpenAI-compatible API
• Send files and attachments in your queries
• Pass custom parameters like thinking budget, reasoning effort, and aspect ratios
• Build external applications like browser toolbars, shell scripts, alternative chat interfaces, or specialized client applications

Quick Navigation

🚀 Quick Start Guide

Get up and running in minutes with a simple example.

📋 SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)

Step-by-step procedures for common tasks:

• Getting your API key
• Installing dependencies
• Making basic queries
• Sending files
• Using custom parameters

🔄 Workflows

Multi-step processes for complex scenarios:

• Setting up an external application
• Querying multiple bots
• Leaderboard integration

📖 Quick Reference

Fast lookup for commands, troubleshooting, and common patterns.

Key Concepts

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│              POE API ARCHITECTURE                             │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                              │
│  External Application                                        │
│        │                                                     │
│        ├──► API Key (poe.com/api_key)                        │
│        │    • Associated with user account                  │
│        │    • Points deducted from account                   │
│        │                                                     │
│        ├──► Query Methods                                    │
│        │    • fastapi-poe library (Python)                   │
│        │    • OpenAI-compatible API                          │
│        │                                                     │
│        └──► Poe Bots                                         │
│             • GPT-5, Claude-Sonnet-4.5, etc.                 │
│             • Custom bots you create                         │
│                                                              │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Rate Limits & Costs

• Rate Limit: 500 requests per minute per user
• Cost: Compute points are deducted directly from the account associated with the API key
• Warning: The API makes the API key owner's entire point balance available to any bot queried

Security Note

Be careful about calling bots that are not your own or are not marked as official, as they can consume your points.

Getting Help

Use the chat widget in the bottom-right corner to ask questions about the Poe API. The AI assistant is trained on this documentation and can help you find answers quickly.

Next Steps

1. Get your API key - Navigate to poe.com/api_key
2. Install dependencies - Set up fastapi-poe
3. Make your first query - Hello world example

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Source: Poe Creator Documentation
Last Updated: 2025-12-19