Get Your Free API Keys
Follow these guides to obtain API keys from supported AI providers
Important Security Recommendations
- • Do NOT add payment methods to these accounts - use free tiers only
- • If your API key is leaked, there will be no financial consequences
- • Your API keys are stored locally in your browser and never sent to our servers (free tier)
- • Set spending limits to $0 where available for extra protection
Google AI Studio
aistudio.google.comStep-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Visit Google AI Studio
Go to aistudio.google.com and sign in with your Google account
- 2
Navigate to API Keys
Click on "Get API key" in the left sidebar or go directly to aistudio.google.com/apikey
- 3
Create API Key
Click "Create API key" button. You can create a key in a new or existing Google Cloud project
- 4
Copy Your Key
Copy the generated API key immediately. Store it safely - you won't be able to see it again
Key Points
- ✓ No credit card required for free tier
- ✓ Exact limits vary by account and region — check your AI Studio dashboard for your specific quotas
- ✓ Gemini 2.5 Pro has the strictest limits; Flash models are more generous
- ✓ Limits reset daily at midnight Pacific time
- ✓ Recommended for beginners - easiest setup
OpenRouter
openrouter.aiStep-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Create Account
Visit openrouter.ai and click "Sign In" then "Sign up"
- 2
Verify Email
Check your email and verify your account
- 3
Navigate to Keys
Go to Settings → API Keys or visit openrouter.ai/keys
- 4
Create New Key
Click "Create Key", give it a name (e.g., "TIF1AI"), and copy the generated key
- 5
Important: Use Free Models
Only use models with ":free" suffix to avoid charges (e.g., deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:free, meta-llama/llama-3.3-70b-instruct:free)
Key Points
- ✓ Free model limits depend on your account credit history — check openrouter.ai/limits for your quotas
- ✓ Free model list rotates — check openrouter.ai/models and filter by price $0
- ✓ No payment method required for free models
- ✓ Set a spend limit of $0 in account settings for extra safety
Cerebras
cloud.cerebras.aiStep-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Create Account
Visit cloud.cerebras.ai and sign up with your email address
- 2
Complete Verification
Verify your email address
- 3
Access API Keys
Navigate to API Keys in the left navigation bar
- 4
Generate Key
Click "Create API Key", name it, and copy it securely
Key Points
- ✓ No payment method required for free tier
- ✓ Ultra-fast inference: 2,600+ tokens/second
- ✓ Free tier: 5 RPM, 30K tokens/min, 1M tokens/day
- ✓ Paid developer tier ($10 deposit) unlocks 10x higher rate limits
What's Next?
- 1. Choose a provider and follow the steps above to get your API key
- 2. Go to Account → AI Provider and paste your API key
- 3. Select your preferred AI model
- 4. Start asking F1 questions on the home page!
Add your key here: https://chat.tracinginsights.com/account?tab=provider