Bluehost AI Builder: How to Get an API Key from Resend

Resend is an email delivery service that lets your Bluehost AI Builder app send email notifications. Resend is a built-in provider in the AI Builder, so you do not need to create a custom API connection. You only need a Resend account with a verified domain and an API key.

This article walks you through creating a Resend account, verifying your sending domain, creating an API key with the right permission, and adding it to your app. Resend's dashboard changes over time, so if a screen looks different, check Resend's documentation for the latest steps.

If you prefer using Postmark, another built-in email provider in AI Builder, see the Bluehost AI Builder: How to Get an API Key from Postmark article.

Before You Start

Make sure you have the following:

• An active Bluehost account with access to the AI Builder.
• An app that has already been created in the AI Builder.
• A *domain you own, with access to its DNS settings. The steps below use a domain managed in your Bluehost Portal.
• Access to the inbox you want to receive test emails.

Step 1: Create a Resend Account

1. Go to resend.com and create an account.

   
    

2. Review Resend's plans to confirm which one fits your sending needs. Resend also offers a free plan with sending limits. For current plans, pricing, and limits, see Resend’s pricing page.

Step 2: Add Your Domain in Resend

Resend needs to confirm you own the domain your app will send email from.

1. In the Resend dashboard, click Domains in the left-hand menu.

   
    

2. Click + Add domain.

   
    

3. Enter a domain name.

   
    

4. Resend provides the DNS records needed to verify your domain. Keep this page open. You will copy these values into Bluehost in the next step. See Step 3 below.

   

Step 3: Add Resend's DNS Records to Your Bluehost Account

1. Log in to your Bluehost Portal.
2. Click Domains in the left-hand menu, then navigate to your domain's DNS tab.
3. In the Manage Advanced DNS Records section, click + Add Record.

   
    

4. Choose Single record, then select the record type that matches the first record in Resend.

   
    

5. Copy the Name and Content values from Resend and paste them into the matching Bluehost fields
6. Click Add.
7. Repeat Steps 4–6 for each record Resend lists.

Step 4: Verify Your Domain in Resend

1. Return to your domain in the Resend dashboard.
2. Click I've added the records.

   
    

3. Verification can take a while because DNS changes need time to propagate. Once Resend verifies your domain, its status changes to Verified.

   

If verification fails, see Resend's guide on what to do if your domain isn't verifying.

Step 5: Create Your API Key

1. In the Resend dashboard, click the API Keys tab.

   
    

2. Click + Create API Key.

   
    

3. Enter a name for the key. Use a name that identifies the app, such as Bluehost_My App.

   
    

4. Select Sending access as the permission.
5. Optionally, restrict the key to the domain you verified in Step 4.
6. Click Add.
7. In the next pop-up window, copy the API Key immediately. For security reasons, Resend only displays the key once.

   
    

8. Once copied, click Done.
9. Your new API Key is now listed in the API keys section.

   

Step 6: Add the API Key to Your App

You have the option to store your Resend API key as a secret for use in custom prompts or app features. To know how, see the Bluehost AI Builder: How to Store and Use API Keys in Secrets article.

1. Log in to your Bluehost Portal.
2. Click AI Builder in the left-hand menu.

   
    

3. Open the app you want to connect.
4. In your app, click the Settings (gear) icon.

   
    

5. Click Email notifications.

   
    

6. Under Provider, click Resend.
7. Paste your key into the Resend API key field.
8. Fill out the fields:
   • From address (required)
   • From name (optional)
   • Reply-to address (optional)
   • Notifications email (required)
9. Click Save Changes.
10. Once the email settings are saved, go back up and click Connect next to the Resend API Key field.

    
     

11. Click Send Test Email to make sure it works.

    
     

12. A prompt will appear showing that the test email was successful.

    

13. Open the inbox you entered as your Notifications email, and check your Spam folder too. If you received the email, your app is now connected to Resend.

Next Step: Send Emails From Your App

To set up email notifications for your app, see the Bluehost AI Builder - How to Set Up Email Notifications article for detailed instructions.

How to Respond to an Exposed API Key

If your key is ever exposed, you can delete the exposed key on Resend’s API Keys page, create a new Sending access key, then add it under Settings ❯ Email notifications, click Connect, and send a test email. If you stored the key in the Secrets tab, update the secret too. See the What To Do If a Key is Exposed section of the Bluehost AI Builder: Working with APIs and External Data Sources article.

Summary

Learn how to connect Resend to your Bluehost AI Builder app so it can send email notifications. This article walks you through creating a Resend account, verifying your domain with DNS records, generating a secure API key, and adding it to your app. It also covers testing the connection and what to do if your API key is ever exposed.