Support for custom API keys in Partner Nodes. Ability to bring your own keys (BYOK) for ComfyUI native API nodes

[novmikvis]

Currently, using Partner Nodes requires creating a Comfy account, logging in, and purchasing "credits" via Stripe. In this workflow, Comfy servers act as an intermediary for all API calls.

The issue
I am already maintaining developer accounts with providers like OpenAI and Google. Managing an additional credit balance is inefficient when I already have billing and credits set up directly with these providers

As of ComfyUI v0.7.0 and ComfyUI_frontend v1.35.9, I couldn't find UI option to input personal API keys for Partner Nodes.

Official partner nodes FAQ suggests this was considered but with no clear promise of implementing the feature.

I’m starting this thread to discuss the roadmap for this feature, as I couldn’t find a centralized discussion regarding its implementation.

Proposal
Allow users to securely input their own API keys (OpenAI, Google, etc.) within the ComfyUI settings to bypass the ComfyOrg credit system for Partner Nodes.

Business Model and potential conflict of interest
I understand that the current "intermediary" model, similar to OpenRouter, is a fair way to fund ComfyOrg’s development. It provides convenience and centralized billing through a potential small margin on the spread between raw API costs and the final price of ComfyUI calls.

However, providing an "advanced" option for personal keys would greatly benefit power users who already have established dev accounts with these providers.