How to get your AI key (API key)
What is an API key?
It's a key that lets Wälo use your Gemini account (or ChatGPT or Claude). Think of it as a password for that one thing only: it doesn't open your email or the rest of your Google account.
How much does it cost?
With Gemini, nothing: Google gives everyone a free quota. If it runs out one day, the advisor tells you and answers again once the quota renews; the rest of Wälo keeps working as usual.
With Gemini, from Google (free, our recommendation)
- Open the Google AI Studio keys page with the button below: it takes you straight to aistudio.google.com/app/apikey.
- Sign in with your Google account (the same one as Gmail).
- If it's your first time, Google asks you to accept its terms: tick the box and tap “Accept”.
- Tap “Create API key”.
- If it asks about a project, pick the one it offers. You don't need to create another one or add a card.
- Copy the key with the “Copy” button. It's a long line that starts with AIza.
- Come back to Wälo, open “Your own AI”, paste it into the API key field, tap “Test connection” and then “Save and use this AI”.
If something goes wrong
“Test connection” fails
It's almost always a badly copied key: copy it again with the “Copy” button and paste it again (Wälo removes spaces by itself). If it says the quota ran out, wait a few hours. If it says the service isn't available in your region, Gemini isn't offered in your country yet: try OpenAI or Anthropic.
I don't see the “Create API key” button
This happens with work or school Google accounts, and with accounts of minors: AI Studio is blocked for them. Sign in with a personal Gmail account.
Is it safe?
Wälo stores the key encrypted and never shows it again or sends it back to your browser. You can delete it here whenever you want, and also delete it in Google AI Studio, on the same keys page: from then on it stops working.
Prefer ChatGPT or Claude?
These are paid: the provider charges you for what you use, on your account with them. Wälo doesn't charge anything for this.
OpenAI (ChatGPT)
- Go to the OpenAI keys page and sign in.
- Tap “Create new secret key” and copy it: it starts with sk-.
- Add credit under “Billing”: without credit, the key doesn't answer. In Wälo pick “OpenAI (ChatGPT)” before pasting it.
Anthropic (Claude)
- Go to the Anthropic console and sign in.
- Tap “Create Key” and copy it: it starts with sk-ant-.
- Add credits under “Billing”: without credits, the key doesn't answer. In Wälo pick “Anthropic (Claude)” before pasting it.