Start with the result you need

Run your first skill

1. Choose a task and check its required inputs, example output, listing price and run allowance.
2. Sign in and write a brief. Image editing and image-to-video need an input image; accepted files depend on the model.
3. Use an available trial or purchase access. Access updates after payment confirmation, not just a checkout return page.
4. Your runs shows results. For a skill with a checkpoint, review the first result before approving or stopping.

AI output can be incorrect. Review it before sharing or relying on it.

Publish a method you have tested

You are not selling an API key. Describe the input, the result, and the steps and standards the AI should follow.

1. Publish a skill: choose text, image or video as the output type.
2. Describe the task, inputs and deliverables. Choose the business category separately from the output type.
3. Choose a model and instructions. Duration, audio, resolution and other options affect cost.
4. Check listing price, included runs and execution cost separately. Save a draft before optionally connecting a key.
5. Submissions are reviewed. When runnable, test your own skill and publish a successful example you have permission to share.

Changes to instructions or execution settings may require another review. Automated review does not guarantee quality or safety. Never use a buyer's private input as a public example.

API keys: who pays the model bill?

A key authorizes AI usage on an account. It is not your ESF password. The model maker and API service can differ: a Google model hosted on fal uses a fal key.

• ESF key: supported models run within the creator wallet and platform limits. Check the displayed execution charge.
• Creator key: the provider bills the creator, separately from the buyer's listing price. ESF does not guarantee an account-wide provider spending cap.

Get a dedicated key

The new direct OpenAI and Google integrations, Replicate, and newly added fal models require a creator key. Existing ESF-key models remain available.

Check billing and permissions with the model's provider, then create a dedicated ESF key. These are official external pages. Creating a key does not guarantee free usage.

Save a draft, then connect a matching provider key. After changing providers, save the model first and replace the key. If the key cannot be verified, execution stops instead of silently switching accounts.

How is the key protected?

Keys are encrypted in storage and not returned to buyers or ordinary browser screens. Only the last four characters are shown. The execution server decrypts keys, so privileged server or database access can read them.

Never paste keys into instructions, briefs, descriptions, examples or support messages. Removing a key here does not revoke it at the provider. If exposure is suspected, revoke it there and review usage. Already accepted work may not be canceled by removing the key.

Choose a model and understand costs

Models support different inputs and outputs; check the publishing form for available choices. Direct integrations may need your own key. The comparison below also includes models not yet selectable on ESF.

Public provider USD cost examples checked on 2026-09-25, not ESF listing prices or guaranteed bills. Tax, exchange rates, discounts and extra inputs are excluded. Execution budgets may round up to whole cents; check the linked current terms.

Video pricing depends on duration, resolution and audio. Higher-resolution H3 output may be upscaled; Veo 3.1 uses supported lengths such as 4, 6 or 8 seconds. Lower prices do not establish better quality or speed.

Providers may charge work already performed even if a request fails, is canceled or is retried. ESF cannot automatically refund charges on your provider key. Check run history and provider usage before retrying.

Who sees inputs and results?

The selected provider receives required inputs. ESF does not show another buyer's raw briefs, files or results in the creator board. With a creator's key, the provider account owner may access requests under its logging policy. Privileged platform access can also read stored run records.

Download results within 30 days. Expired run content is removed by the retention job. A creator's public example has a separate lifecycle; deletion cannot recall downloaded copies. Privacy details

Payments, refunds, disputes and payouts

A listing purchase, subscription and creator wallet top-up are different transactions. Check amount, currency, tax and allowance. Manage renewals in your wallet. Your wallet

Unused-access refunds for blocked listings may need processing or a retry. Card disputes go through Stripe and the issuer; a dispute is not proof of a separate refund. Send support the payment reference and problem, never a key or card number. Contact support

Sellers complete Stripe Connect setup before withdrawing eligible earnings. A transfer to Stripe and a bank payout are separate steps. Transfer confirmation does not guarantee bank arrival or a payout date.

Troubleshooting