AI connectors do not accept keys when the "AI Plugin" is enabled in Playground

[jcamp]

Prerequisites

• I have carried out troubleshooting steps and I believe I have found a bug.
• I have searched for similar bugs in both open and closed issues and cannot find a duplicate.

Describe the bug

The AI API connectors do not accept keys when the "AI Plugin" is enabled in Playground.

You can add the API keys which are accepted. When you then enable the AI Plugin the connectors go back to "Setup mode" and will not accept API keys unless you disable the AI Plugin.

Expected behavior

Add the API keys, enable the AI Plugin. Use AI in WordPress

Actual behavior

Add the API Keys, enable the AI plugin. Go to (for example) create an AI Image. You get an error with API. You to the API Keys page and they all display "Setup" e.g. you need to setup the API keys. If you reenter the API keys you get an error message.

"The AI plugin requires a valid AI Connector to function properly. Please review the AI Connectors you have configured to ensure they are valid."

Steps to reproduce

1. Go to API keys
2. Enter API keys (they are all accepted)
3. Top of screen enable "AI Plugin"
4. Goto (for example) images and add an AI image
5. Error with API keys
6. Goto to API Keys screen
7. All API keys are reset back to "Setup"
8. Try to enter API keys - Error when adding API Keys

Isolating the problem

• I have deactivated other plugins and confirmed this bug occurs when only this plugin is active.
• This bug happens with a default WordPress theme active.
• I can reproduce this bug consistently using the steps above.

[jcamp]

Seems that it is down to the order you add items.

If you enable the plugin first and then add connectors it seems to work but not the other way round?

[deepakpra]

Reproduction Report

Environment

• WordPress: 7.0
• Subdirectory: No
• PHP: 8.3.31
• Server: PHP.wasm
• Database: WP_SQLite_Driver (Server: 8.0.38 / Client: 3.51.0)
• Browser: Chrome 148.0.0.0
• OS: macOS
• Theme: Twenty Twenty-Five 1.5
• MU Plugins: None activated
• Plugins:
  • AI 1.0.1
  • AI Provider for Anthropic 1.0.3
  • Test Reports 1.3.0

Steps taken

1. Opened WordPress Playground with WordPress 7.0.
2. Navigated to Settings > Connectors.
3. Installed and activated the AI Provider for Anthropic connector.
4. Added a valid Anthropic API key and saved it.
5. Confirmed the connector was accepted and shown as configured.
6. Installed and activated the AI plugin from the Connectors page.
7. Used the AI plugin flow after activation.
8. Returned to Settings > Connectors and checked the Anthropic connector status.
9. The previously saved connector key was still recognized and the connector remained configured.
10. ❌ Bug is not occurring

Expected behavior

• Based on the ticket, after configuring an AI connector first and then enabling the AI plugin, the connector key was expected to stop being recognized. The connector would show as needing setup again, and re-entering the same key would produce an error saying the AI plugin requires a valid AI Connector.

Additional Notes

• I was not able to reproduce the issue with this configuration.
• The connector remained configured after installing and activating the AI plugin.
• The flow appears to be working as expected in my test environment.

Screenshots/Screencast with results

Screen.Recording.2026-06-04.at.12.07.10.PM.mp4