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Gemini API key
Updated Sep 18, 2026
Google AI Studio, one key, GEMINI_API_KEY in .env. Not a Cloud billing saga unless you outgrow Studio.
You will leave with GEMINI_API_KEY in .env and in Vercel. For a first app, use Google AI Studio, not a full GCP project with twelve IAM roles.
Step 1: AI Studio
Go to aistudio.google.com/apikey. Sign in with a Google account.
Step 2: Create API key
Create API key. If it asks for a Google Cloud project, accept the default it offers for Studio. Copy the key once.
Step 3: Name it
.env.example:
GEMINI_API_KEY=
.env:
GEMINI_API_KEY=your-real-key
Some libraries want GOOGLE_API_KEY instead. Pick one name, put it in .env.example, and tell the agent that name. Do not invent both.
Vercel → same name → Production → redeploy.
OpenAI instead? OpenAI API key.
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