July 27, 2026 · 4 min read

Do you need an API key to use ReminderIt in ChatGPT?

The hosted ReminderIt connector for ChatGPT signs in with OAuth and needs no API key. Keys only come into play for local or self-hosted MCP setups.

It is a fair question, because plenty of tools ask you to paste a long secret key before anything works. With ReminderIt and ChatGPT over the hosted connector, you do not. This post explains why, when a key does matter, and how to keep access under control either way.

The hosted connector: no key to copy

For the recommended route, you add https://mcp.reminderit.com as a custom connector in ChatGPT and sign in through an OAuth screen. That sign-in is the whole authorisation step. You approve access to your ReminderIt account once and ChatGPT is connected.

There is deliberately no key to copy, paste or store here. OAuth handles it, which is both simpler and safer than moving a secret string around.

So where do the rmt_ keys come in?

ReminderIt does issue API keys that look like rmt_ followed by a string. These are for the local or self-hosted route: running the ReminderIt MCP server on your own machine or inside your own agent, rather than through the hosted connector.

In that setup you generate a key from reminderit.com/api-keys and place it in your local configuration as REMINDERIT_API_KEY. If you are only using ChatGPT with the hosted connector, you never need to touch that.

There is still a key, quietly, behind OAuth

Under the hood the hosted connector does create a per-client key in your account when you approve OAuth. You just never see or handle it; it is managed for you.

This is worth knowing for one reason: it means every connected client is represented by a revocable key, whether you typed it or not. Access is always something you can see and withdraw.

How to revoke access when you need to

Go to reminderit.com/api-keys to see the keys tied to your account, including the one behind your ChatGPT connection. Revoking a key immediately cuts that client's access to your reminders.

This is the right move if you stop using a device, suspect a connection you do not recognise, or simply want to reset and reconnect. After revoking, sign in through OAuth again to issue a fresh key.

Quick rule of thumb

Using ChatGPT with the hosted connector at https://mcp.reminderit.com? No key needed; OAuth is enough. Running ReminderIt locally or in your own agent? Generate an rmt_ key and configure it yourself.

Either way, reminderit.com/api-keys is the single place to review and revoke access.