A: Hey Eveserife!

Welcome to the exciting world of AI Agents! It's totally understandable that you're figuring out how it all works – we're here to help.

Let's break down your questions:

1. Connecting the AI Agent to Any Program (like Adobe, Canva, or others):

How AgenticFlow Connects (MCPs & APIs):
AgenticFlow agents don't "log in" and use programs like a human by clicking around in their interface (that's more like RPA - Robotic Process Automation, which is different).
Instead, AgenticFlow connects to other programs if those programs offer an API (Application Programming Interface) or if there's an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server available for them.
MCPs (Easiest Way): We have a growing list of 2500+ MCP connectors (check them out: https://agenticflow.ai/mcp). If Canva or a specific Adobe service (like Adobe Stock via API) has an MCP, you connect it once to your AgenticFlow workspace, and then your agent can be "equipped" with that tool. You then tell the agent in plain English what to do (e.g., "Agent, find a picture of a sunset on Adobe Stock using the Adobe Stock MCP tool").
Direct API Calls (More Technical): If a program like Canva or an Adobe service has a REST API but no ready-made MCP, you can use AgenticFlow's API Call node within a workflow. This requires a bit more setup (you'd need to know the API endpoint, how to authenticate, and what data to send/receive), but it allows connection to virtually any service with an accessible API.
Graphics Programs Specifically (Adobe/Canva):
Canva: Canva has an API (https://www.canva.dev/docs/connect/quick-start/). So, yes, you could potentially use AgenticFlow's API Call node to interact with Canva (e.g., tell it to create a design based on certain parameters if their API supports that). A dedicated Canva MCP would make this even easier (feel free to request it on our roadmap: https://agenticflow.featurebase.app/).
Adobe: Adobe offers various APIs for its different Creative Cloud apps. For example, they have APIs for Photoshop, Lightroom, and Adobe Stock. Again, you'd use the API Call node to interact with these, or look for/request an MCP.
What it means: An agent might not open Photoshop on your computer and edit, but it could, for example, take text from a workflow, send it to a Canva API to generate a social media graphic based on a template, and then get the link to that graphic back.
2. Needing an API Key vs. Using Your AgenticFlow Credits:

AgenticFlow Credits (Your AppSumo Plan):
These credits cover the use of the AgenticFlow platform itself (running workflow steps, agent orchestrations) AND the use of our built-in, economical LLM models (like GPT-4o-mini, Gemini Flash 2.0) for tasks like understanding your instructions, generating text, or making decisions.
So, for many tasks, especially those involving text processing with our built-in AIs and orchestrating steps, you can do a lot with just your AgenticFlow credits.
When API Keys (BYOK - Bring Your Own Key) or Pixel ML OpenRouter Credits Are Needed:
For External LLMs/AI Services: If you want your agent to use a specific, often more powerful or specialized AI model that isn't one of our built-in economical ones (e.g., the full GPT-4, Claude 3.7, a specialized image generation model like DALL-E, or if you connect to Canva's API which might have its own costs), you'll typically need:
BYOK: Your own API key for that service (e.g., your OpenAI key, your Canva API key). You pay that service provider directly for usage. AgenticFlow just uses your key to make the call.
Pixel ML OpenRouter: For some premium models or specialized AI services (like advanced image/video generation), we offer access via our Pixel ML OpenRouter. This uses separate, pay-as-you-go Pixel ML credits (these roll over). This is an option for convenience if you don't want to manage multiple API keys.
MCP Connections: When you connect an MCP for a tool like Google Sheets or Slack, you're authenticating AgenticFlow to use your account with that service. If that service has API usage limits or costs on its end, those would still apply, but AgenticFlow itself uses your plan credits just for the step of telling that MCP to do something.
In Simple Terms for a Newcomer:

You can do a lot with just your AgenticFlow credits and our built-in AI.
To connect to other specific programs (like Canva), they need to have an API or an MCP. AgenticFlow then "talks" to them using that.
If using an external program's API has a cost from that program, you'd pay them (often by giving AgenticFlow your API key for that program).
Start by exploring our built-in LLMs and any MCPs for tools you already use! As you get more comfortable, you can look into connecting more specialized APIs. Don't hesitate to ask more questions as you go!

Best,
Sean