Set Up Your Google AI API Key

Your Google AI key powers Veo 3.1 video generation and Nano Banana 2 image generation in Slates. Google offers a free tier for testing, and pay-as-you-go billing when you're ready to generate. This guide covers both.

Time needed: About 5 minutes.

What Google AI gives you

Slates uses Google AI for two things: video generation with Veo 3.1 and image generation with Nano Banana 2.

Important: Veo 3.1 and Nano Banana 2 require the paid tier. The free tier only covers Gemini text models. You'll need to enable billing and make a small prepayment (minimum $10) to unlock video and image generation. Billing is pay-as-you-go after that.

Part 1: Create your API key (free tier)

This gets you a working API key in under 2 minutes.

Step 1: Open Google AI Studio

1. ›Go to aistudio.google.com in your browser.
2. ›Sign in with your Google account (any Gmail works).
3. ›If this is your first visit, accept the Terms of Service and confirm your region.

Step 2: Create an API key

1. ›Click Get API key in the left sidebar, or go directly to aistudio.google.com/apikey.
2. ›Click Create API key.
3. ›In the dialog, select Create API key in new project. Google automatically creates a Google Cloud project to hold your key.
4. ›Your API key appears on screen. It starts with AIza followed by a long string.
5. ›Copy the key immediately and store it somewhere safe.

Step 3: Add the key to Slates

1. ›Open Slates on your desktop.
2. ›Click the gear icon in the top bar to open Settings.
3. ›Expand the API Keys section.
4. ›Find the Google AI field.
5. ›Paste your key into the input field.
6. ›Click Save.

You should see a green Configured indicator. Your key is now connected.

At this point you have a free-tier key. It works for Gemini text features, but Veo 3.1 and Nano Banana 2 require the paid tier. Continue to Part 2 to enable billing and unlock video and image generation.

Part 2: Enable billing for Veo and Nano Banana 2

This is where you unlock Veo 3.1 video generation and Nano Banana 2 image generation. Google requires a billing account with a small prepayment to access these models. You only pay for what you generate.

Step 4: Set up billing in Google AI Studio

1. ›Go back to aistudio.google.com/apikey.
2. ›Find your API key in the list. Under the Quota tier column, click Set up Billing.
3. ›A setup window appears. Select your country to agree to the Terms of Service.
4. ›Enter your contact information.
5. ›Add a payment method (credit card or debit card).
6. ›Click Finish account setup.

The prepayment becomes credit on your account. Google may also place a temporary hold of $0.00 to $1.00 for verification (refunded within a few days). You only get charged for actual generations.

Step 5: Confirm paid tier activation

1. ›Back on the API Keys page, check the Quota tier column for your key.
2. ›If it says Action needed, click it to complete a one-time prepayment to activate the paid tier. This prepayment becomes credit on your account, not a fee.
3. ›Once processing is complete, your key is upgraded to the Paid Tier with higher rate limits and access to Veo 3.1 and Nano Banana 2.

That's it. Your Slates app will now use your Google AI key for generations, charged against your prepaid balance.

What does it cost?

Google charges per generation. Here's what typical usage looks like:

Mix and match. Your prepaid balance is a shared pool. Use it across any combination of images and videos. When the balance runs low, top it up in Google AI Studio.

How does billing work?

• ›Prepaid balance. Your initial prepayment becomes credit on your account. Generations draw from this balance.
• ›Top up anytime. Add more credit through Google AI Studio when your balance gets low.
• ›No surprise charges. When your prepaid balance hits zero, API calls stop. You won't be charged beyond what you've prepaid.
• ›Or use Slates Credits instead. You can switch to Slates Credits at any time, no API key needed. Credits work with every model and require zero provider setup.

Quick reference

Troubleshooting

"Google API key required"

Open Settings → API Keys and make sure the Google AI field shows Configured in green. If not, paste your key again and click Save.

Veo 3.1 or Nano Banana 2 generation fails

You're most likely still on the free tier. Go to aistudio.google.com/apikey and check if billing is set up. Click Set up Billing if you see it under the Quota tier column.

"Quota exceeded" or rate limit errors

The free tier has strict rate limits (as low as 2 requests per minute for image generation). Enable billing to get the paid tier's higher limits. If you're already on the paid tier and hitting limits, wait a minute and try again.

I want to check my remaining balance

Go to console.cloud.google.com/billing. Select your billing account to see your remaining prepaid balance and usage breakdown.

I don't want to enter a credit card

That's fine. You can use Slates Credits instead. In Slates Settings → API Keys, set the Generation Route to Slates Credits. No API key needed. You purchase credits through the Slates website and they work for all models.

Can I use an existing Google Cloud account?

Yes. If you already have a Google Cloud account with billing enabled, your AI Studio API key will automatically use that billing account.