TidyText connects to Google's AI using your own API key. No subscription, no TidyText account, no TidyText servers. This guide walks you through getting a key and pasting it in — takes about two minutes, even if you've never done anything like this before.

ℹ️ Before you use a Gemini key: you must be 18 or over, and Google describes the Gemini API as being for developers building for professional or business purposes, not for consumer use — so check that your use fits Google's terms. On Google's free tier, Google may use what you send to improve its products and human reviewers may read it, so don't paste sensitive, confidential or personal text. If you're in the UK, the EEA or Switzerland, Google says it applies its paid-tier data terms to free usage instead — but its terms also say only paid services may be used for apps made available to users there, so in those regions we recommend a key from a Google Cloud project with billing turned on. A paid key doesn't change Google's statement about consumer use. Read Google's Gemini API terms for the full details.

What's an API key? It's a short password that connects TidyText to Google's AI. Google gives you one for free when you sign up for AI Studio — it's like a library card for their AI service.

TidyText stores your key only in your browser. It never passes through our servers, and we never see it. You can delete it from your browser any time.

How to get started

Go to Google AI Studio

Open aistudio.google.com in a new tab. Sign in with any Google account — your Gmail works perfectly.

💡 No Google account? Create one free at accounts.google.com — takes about two minutes and requires no payment details.

Create your API key

In the left sidebar, click Get API key. On the next screen, click Create API key. A long string of characters will appear — this is your key.

AIzaSy… (yours will look like this)

🔒 Copy the key as soon as it appears — paste it temporarily into a notes app. You can always create a new one if needed, but it's easier to copy it now.

Open TidyText settings

Come back to this tab and go to tidytextai.com. Click the settings icon ⚙ in the top-right corner. The settings panel will slide open on the right.

Choose Google Gemini and paste your key

Under AI Provider, select Google Gemini. Paste your API key into the field below. Leave the model set to Gemini 3.5 Flash — it's the best choice for most people and uses the least of your free allowance.

Click Save. Your key is stored in your browser only — nothing is sent to us.

✅ Your key saves automatically. You won't need to paste it again unless you clear your browser data or switch devices.

You're ready — write something

Close the settings panel. Paste any text into the main box — an email, a paragraph, a social post, anything. Hit Improve or Translate and your result will appear in seconds.

ℹ️ On Google's free tier, daily limits apply and — outside the UK, EEA and Switzerland — Google may use your text to improve its products. With billing turned on, typical writing use costs fractions of a penny per request and isn't used that way.

Ready to try it?

You've got your key. Now see what TidyText AI does to your writing.

Open TidyText AI →

Have a question? Read the FAQ or get in touch.

For a deeper guide including model comparison and cost breakdown, see the full Gemini API guide.