Get a Google key

Before you start

• A Google account, to sign in to Google AI Studio, where Gemini keys live.
• Maybe a payment card. Google's billing page says new accounts start on a Free Tier. Google's free tier covers some models but not all. If the model you want shows "Not available" under Free Tier on Google's pricing page, you need to set up billing before you start. Setting up billing means adding a payment method and paying for credits in advance.

Get your key

1. Open Google AI Studio, sign in with your Google account, and accept the terms.

   Screenshot: Google AI Studio after signing in, with the terms accepted

2. Open the API Keys page. If you are new, Google has already made a project and a key for you, and the key is listed here. If you need a new one, click Create API key.

   Screenshot: the API Keys page, with the key and the Create API key button visible

3. Copy the whole key.

   Screenshot: the key opened on screen with its copy button, most of the key blurred

4. Google's free tier covers some models but not all. If the model you want shows "Not available" under Free Tier on Google's pricing page, you need to set up billing before you start. To do it, click Set up billing on the API Keys page, add your payment details, and pay in advance when Google asks.

   Screenshot: the Set up billing button on the API Keys page

Paste it into TAKT

Go back to TAKT. On the Set up screen, click Add key on the Google card. Paste your key into the box marked Paste your Google key, then click Check and save. The button shows Checking… while TAKT tests the key. When it works, you see ✓ Connected.

Keep it safe

• Treat the key like a password. Anyone who has it can use your account.
• If you think someone else has seen it, make a new key and stop using the old one.
• Once you pay, set a monthly spend cap for your project in AI Studio, on the Spend page under Monthly spend cap, then Edit spend cap. Google marks this as experimental and says spending can briefly go over it. See its billing page.

What it costs

You pay Google directly, at Google's prices, and TAKT adds nothing on top. Google lists its prices on its pricing page.

If it does not work

• The model is not on the Free Tier. Google's free tier covers some models but not all. If the model you want shows "Not available" under Free Tier on Google's pricing page, you need to set up billing before you start. Do it on the API Keys page, and check you have credits.
• The key is an older kind. Google now refuses older keys that have no restrictions set. If your key is from before 28 May 2026, make a new one on the API Keys page.
• Part of the key is missing. Copy it again, all of it, and paste it again.

Last checked: 11 October 2026, against these Google pages:

• ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/api-key
• ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/billing
• ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/pricing