# Stop Paying for APIs Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKQ5jUNXcGE Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/cKQ5jUNXcGE Generated: 2025-12-29T18:33:47.603+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The NCA Toolkit (No-Code Architects Toolkit) is presented as a free, self-hosted alternative to eliminate costly monthly API subscriptions for automation workflows by using custom Python code deployed on a user's own server, effectively replacing services like OpenAI, Creatomate, PDF.co, and Google Cloud Storage access via API calls. **Key Points:** - The NCA Toolkit replaces expensive monthly API subscriptions for services like OpenAI (ChatGPT, Whisper, DALL-E), Creatomate, PDF.co, and Google Drive/Cloud Storage. - The toolkit involves deploying custom Python code onto the user's own server (demonstrated using Google Cloud Run) to handle API interactions. - The process involves setting up an HTTP module in the workflow tool (likely Make/Integromat) to call the self-hosted NCA Toolkit API endpoint. - Authentication for the NCA Toolkit API requires passing an API key in the request headers, named 'x-nca-key' with a value like 'test123'. - The HTTP request uses the POST method and requires a JSON body containing video information, such as 'video_url' pointing to the source files, to trigger actions like concatenation (demonstrated with two video URLs). - Successful execution results in a status code of 200 and returns a response containing the ID for the newly processed job, such as the concatenated video ID. ![Screenshot at 00:04: The introduction slide highlighting the NCA Toolkit logo and its purpose: 'No-Code Architects Toolkit' which aims to replace costly API subscriptions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cKQ5jUNXcGE/00-00-04.jpg) **Context:** The video introduces a solution called the No-Code Architects Toolkit (NCA Toolkit) designed to help users avoid recurring monthly subscription fees associated with various third-party API services commonly used in no-code automation platforms. The presenter argues that by self-hosting custom Python code via this toolkit, users can access the functionality of services like AI models, video creation, and file storage directly through an API endpoint they control, thereby eliminating the escalating monthly costs. ## Detailed Analysis The presenter addresses the high cumulative cost of subscriptions for essential automation services like OpenAI (ChatGPT, Whisper, DALL-E), Creatomate, PDF.co, and Google Cloud Storage access. The solution proposed is the No-Code Architects Toolkit (NCA Toolkit), which allows users to run Python code on their own servers, accessible via a custom API, thereby nullifying the monthly subscription fees for these services. The demonstration shifts to setting up an HTTP call in a workflow platform (implied to be Make) to interact with the deployed NCA Toolkit. The URL used for the HTTP POST request points to the deployed Google Cloud Run instance, specifically targeting the '/video/concatenate' endpoint. Configuration requires setting the method to POST, and crucially, adding an API key header named 'x-nca-key' with a test value like 'test123'. The body type is set to JSON, containing the input parameters, such as an array of 'video_url' entries pointing to the source videos hosted on Google Cloud Storage. After sending the request, a successful response (status code 200) is received, which includes a job ID for the concatenated video, confirming that the self-hosted API successfully executed the task that would otherwise require paid services. ### Problem Identification - Tired of paying thousands for subscriptions to OpenAI, Creatomate, PDF.co, Google Drive, JSON2Video, CloudConvert, and 0CodeKit - These costs add up monthly. ### Solution Introduction - NCA Toolkit is custom Python code deployed on your own server to access resources via an API, replacing costly subscriptions at almost no cost to you. ### HTTP Module Setup (Make) - Select the HTTP module, configure the URL to point to the deployed NCA Toolkit endpoint, ensuring the trailing slash is removed if present. ### API Authentication - Set the HTTP Method to POST and add a header: Name='x-nca-key', Value='test123' (or your actual key). ### Request Body Configuration - Set Body Type to 'Raw' and Content Type to 'application/json'. Paste the JSON payload containing the video URLs for concatenation into the request content area. ### Execution and Validation - Upon running the request, a status code 200 confirms success, and the response body contains the ID for the newly created concatenated video, such as 'video_id: 18'. ![Screenshot at 00:01: Drawing of a dollar sign representing subscription costs being eliminated.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cKQ5jUNXcGE/00-00-01.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:04: The NCA Toolkit logo displayed, representing the custom-built, self-hosted solution.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cKQ5jUNXcGE/00-00-04.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:13: Diagram showing the services being replaced \(OpenAI, Creatomate, PDF.co, Google Drive, etc.\) pointing towards the NCA Toolkit solution.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cKQ5jUNXcGE/00-00-13.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:07: The HTTP module configuration window in the workflow builder, showing the selection of the HTTP method.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cKQ5jUNXcGE/00-01-07.jpg) ![Screenshot at 01:36: The HTTP module URL field populated with the Google Cloud Run endpoint for the NCA Toolkit, highlighting the need to clean up the path.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cKQ5jUNXcGE/00-01-36.jpg)