> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.banya.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Connect to an organization
> Join an organization with an organization API key and select the project you'll work on.
When you connect to an organization, the **AI model policies, security rules, coding conventions, and internal documents (RAG)** your administrator configured in the Admin console are automatically applied to the IDE.
Individual users can use CodePilot without an organization. Connecting to an organization is an optional step for having your team's standards applied.
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## 1. Get an organization API key
Ask your organization administrator for an **API key that starts with `cpk_`**. The administrator issues this key from the **API Key Management** menu in the Admin console.
The API key is what proves your eligibility to join the organization. Be careful not to expose it in internal messengers, public repositories, and the like.
***
## 2. Join the organization from the IDE
Click the **gear (⚙) icon** at the top right of the chat panel to open the Settings panel.
Select **Account** from the left menu.
In the input field under **Connect to an organization**, paste the API key you received (`cpk_...`) and click **Register**.
Once you've joined successfully, the **organization name** appears in your profile area and the organization settings are downloaded automatically.
If the organization settings changed but aren't reflected in the IDE, click the **Sync organization settings** button in the Account tab to fetch the latest policies again.
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## 3. Select a project
If your organization has multiple projects, you need to select the one you're working on so that its project-specific settings are applied.
Open the dropdown under the **Project** item in the Account tab and select a project.
When you select a project, that project's AI models, security rules, and RAG documents are applied. For any item the project doesn't set separately, the **Team default settings** are followed as-is.
If the dropdown shows **"No registered projects,"** either the administrator hasn't created a project yet or you're not a member of that project. Ask your administrator to add you as a member.
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## Settings that get applied
Once you're connected to an organization, the following items are applied automatically.
| Item | Description |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **AI models** | Only models approved by the organization can be selected |
| **Security rules** | Blocking of risky commands and protection of sensitive files |
| **Coding conventions** | Team rules automatically reflected in AI responses |
| **Internal documents (RAG)** | AI answers by referencing internal documents |
| **MCP servers** | Integration with external tools approved by the organization |
Each item is distributed at either **Required** or **Recommended** strength. Required items cannot be changed in the IDE, while Recommended items are applied as defaults but can be changed when needed.
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## Leaving an organization
Click **Leave** under Settings → Account → Connect to an organization. When you leave, organization policies no longer apply and you return to your personal settings.
***
## Next steps
How to send your first request and approve changes