How to Get a Google AI (Gemini) API Key for Rangy

A Google AI API key — also called a Gemini API key — is the credential that lets Rangy talk directly to Google's Gemini platform on your behalf. It's optional, but it adds two genuinely useful things to the app: Google's own first-party Nano Banana Pro and Nano Banana 2 image models, generated straight through Google, and the Gemini tier of the Rangy Agent, so the built-in chat assistant can plan and run your generations on Gemini.

This guide walks you through getting that key from scratch in Google AI Studio — signing in with a Google account and creating the key — and then shows you exactly where to paste it inside Rangy and what it switches on. There's a short video for each half, plus written steps so you can follow along at your own pace. Google AI Studio includes a free tier, so you can try everything before deciding whether you need more usage.

Part 1: How to Get Your Google AI (Gemini) API Key

Watch the walkthrough below, or follow the written steps underneath it — they cover the same process. Menu names in Google AI Studio shift around from time to time, so the video carries the precise visual steps; the written list keeps things general enough to stay accurate.

1. Open Google AI Studio Go to aistudio.google.com. This is Google's official home for the Gemini API and the place where API keys are created and managed.
2. Sign in with a Google account Sign in with any Google account. If you don't already have one, you can create a Google account for free in a couple of minutes and then return to Google AI Studio.
3. Open the API keys area Once you're signed in, look for the API keys section of Google AI Studio. This is where personal Gemini API keys are listed.
4. Create a new API key Choose to create a new API key. Google generates a Gemini API key tied to your account — you may be asked to associate it with a Google Cloud project, which Google AI Studio can set up for you automatically.
5. Copy the key Copy the full key immediately and keep it somewhere safe. Treat it like a password — anyone with this key can make Gemini requests on your account.

Part 2: Where the Google AI Key Is Used Inside Rangy

Once you have the key, connecting it to Rangy takes about ten seconds. The video below shows where it goes and what it turns on.

1. Open Settings in Rangy Launch Rangy and open Settings from the navigation, then select the API Keys section.
2. Paste your key Find the Google AI card, paste your Gemini API key into the input field, and click Save. The status label changes to "Configured" once it's accepted.
3. Use Google's models Switch to the Core tab and you'll see Google's first-party Nano Banana Pro and Nano Banana 2 available — these route directly through Google rather than another provider.
4. Run the Agent on Gemini Open the Rangy Agent and select the Gemini tier. The chat assistant will now plan and run your generations using your Google AI key.

What the Google AI key unlocks

The Google AI key is a focused add-on rather than a broad provider. With it configured you get:

• Google's first-party Nano Banana models — Nano Banana Pro and Nano Banana 2, generated directly through Google's Gemini platform rather than through a third-party host.
• The Gemini tier of the Rangy Agent — the built-in chat assistant can run on Gemini, so it can interpret your requests, plan generations, and trigger them on your behalf using Google's models.

If you want the chat assistant to run on a different model instead, the Agent also supports an Anthropic tier. And for the widest set of image models overall, most Rangy users start with a Replicate key — the Google AI key sits alongside it as an optional extra. Kie.ai and Freepik round out the optional providers.

How Much Does Google AI Cost?

Google AI offers a free tier with rate limits — enough to try the Nano Banana models and the Gemini agent tier without entering any payment details. When you need more headroom than the free tier allows, you can enable pay-as-you-go usage, where you're billed based on what you run. There's no monthly subscription to use the key in Rangy; you simply use the free allowance and upgrade only if your usage grows. Exact limits and prices are set by Google and can change, so check Google AI Studio for the current details.

Troubleshooting

"Invalid API key" or requests fail immediately

Double-check that you copied the entire key with no extra spaces or line breaks. If you're still stuck, create a fresh key in Google AI Studio and paste the new one into Rangy under Settings › API Keys › Google AI.

Requests fail with a quota or rate-limit error

The free tier has rate limits, so heavy use in a short window can hit them temporarily — wait a little and try again. If you consistently need more, enable pay-as-you-go usage for your key in Google AI Studio.

The Gemini agent tier or Google's Nano Banana models don't appear

Make sure the Google AI card in Rangy's settings shows "Configured" and that you saved after pasting the key. If a model still won't run, restart Rangy so it re-reads your saved keys.

Frequently Asked Questions