Overview
This is Gemini through the Gemini API (AI Studio), the quickest way to start. If you want Gemini inside your own Google Cloud project instead, use the Vertex AI guide.
Loom connects through Google’s OpenAI-compatible address.
Get a key
- 1Go to aistudio.google.com/apikey and sign in with a Google account. Accept the terms if asked.
- 2Choose Create API key and pick or create a project.
- 3Copy the key (it starts with
AIza). It works straight away on the free tier.
Cost. The free tier needs no card, but it has rate limits that change often, and Google may use free-tier prompts to improve its products. A billed project has higher limits and different data terms. Check Google’s current terms before sending anything sensitive.
Add it to Loom
- 1Open Loom, then Providers in the menu, and choose Add provider.
- 2Pick Google Gemini (the search box finds it).
- 3Fill in the fields in the table below.
- 4Choose Connect. Loom checks the key and says how many models it found. If it cannot check, it says so, and you can Save anyway and try a message.
- 5Open the model chip below the message box and pick a model.
| Field in Loom | What to put | Needed |
|---|---|---|
| API key | Paste the key you copied. Create one at aistudio.google.com/apikey — it has a free tier. | Yes |
| Endpoint | https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/v1beta/openai | Pre-filled |
| Name | Anything you like. It is shown in the model picker | Optional |
At a glance
| Appears in Loom as | Google Gemini |
| Sign-in | Your key, sent as Authorization: Bearer |
| Models | Loom fetches the list from your account |
| Tools (connectors, search) | Yes |
| Photos | Yes |
| PDFs | Not confirmed on this endpoint |
Good to know
Gemini 3 models need a “thought signature” echoed back during tool use. Loom does this for you.
If something goes wrong
| What you see | What to do |
|---|---|
| 429, “RESOURCE_EXHAUSTED” | You hit a free-tier limit. Wait a minute, pick a lighter model, or enable billing on the project. |
| 400, “API key not valid” | The key was copied with a space, or it was deleted. Create a new one. |
| A Pro model is refused | Some Pro models need a billed project. Try a Flash model, or enable billing. |