Steps to Create a Gemini API Key
Last Updated: June 30, 2026
PC Builder: MW uses Google's Gemini AI to auto-fill compatibility data for your entire catalog — saving hours of manual tag entry per step. To unlock this feature on the Basic plan, you connect your own Gemini API key from Google AI Studio. The key is free to create, doesn't require billing details, and Google's free tier easily covers a typical Shopify store's usage. This guide walks you through key creation in five steps and how to paste it into the app.
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Go to Google AI Studio
Open your browser and visit aistudio.google.com
Google AI Studio is the official, beginner-friendly portal for Gemini API keys. Don't confuse it with Vertex AI on Google Cloud Console — that's the enterprise version and the keys aren't interchangeable. For PC Builder: MW, you specifically need an AI Studio key.
Free — no credit card neededSign in with your Google account
Click "Sign in" and authenticate with the Google account you want to associate the API key with.
Use a Google account tied to your business rather than a personal one — this keeps API access tied to the company instead of an individual employee. If your business uses Google Workspace, sign in with that account. AI Studio is free, so you won't be asked for payment details.
Open API Keys section
In the dashboard, click “Get API key” in the left sidebar. If you've never used AI Studio before you'll see a welcome screen — click "Get API key" again on that screen to continue.
This takes you to the API key management page, where you can create new keys, view existing keys, and revoke keys that have been compromised. The page shows usage stats per key so you can monitor API calls.
Create a new API key
Click “Create API key” . Choose "Create API key in new project" if this is your first time, or pick an existing Google Cloud project from the dropdown.
Selecting "new project" auto-creates a Google Cloud project for you — no manual setup needed. The key is generated instantly and shown on screen. Each project has its own free-tier quota, so creating a fresh project gives you a clean usage allowance.
Copy and save your API key
Click the copy icon next to your generated key to copy the full string to your clipboard. Store it somewhere safe — you'll paste it into PC Builder: MW next.
Important: Google only shows the full key once. The moment you close the creation dialog, the key is masked (only the last 4 characters visible). If you lose it before pasting it into PC Builder: MW, just come back to AI Studio and generate a new one — there's no penalty. We also recommend storing a copy in a password manager as backup.
Keep your key private — do not share it→ Next: Use the key inside PC Builder: MW
You've got the API key. Now connect it to the app and run your first AI-powered compatibility fill.
Open guide: Use AI Key in App →