Español – América Latina Português – Brasil Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform To use Gemini on Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, authenticate by using a Google Cloud API key or application default credentials . We recommend using an API key for testing and using application default credentials for production. This page shows you how to get a Google Cloud API key based on whether you're a new or existing Google Cloud user. Select your user type: Create an express mode API key The fastest way to get an API key is through an express mode account in the Google Cloud console. This streamlined experience is designed for rapid onboarding, creating an API key for you automatically, regardless of whether you are new to Google Cloud or are an existing Google Cloud user: If you are new to Google Cloud , you are guided through a quick, no-cost setup that provides a free 90-day trial environment. If you are an existing Google Cloud user , you can link your existing billing account to get an API key immediately within the simplified experience of Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform in express mode. To learn more about Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform in express mode, see the express mode overview page. Get an API key with express mode: Get an API key with express mode To view and manage your API keys, open APIs & Services > Credentials : Go to Credentials Make your first API request After getting an API key, learn how to use your API key to make your first request in the API quickstart . Optional: Set up your API key locally For initial testing, you can hard code an API key, but this should only be temporary since it is not secure. The rest of this section goes through how to set up your API key locally as an environment variable with different operating systems. Click to expand instructions Run the following command to see which command-line shell you are using: echo $SHELL The output is similar to the following: /bin/bash Run the following command to see which command-line shell you are using:

The output is similar to the following: Add a shell export variable for your API key, by doing one of the following: If the output of the previous step is /bin/bash : Open .bashrc : touch ~/.bashrc open ~/.bashrc Add the following line to .bashrc : export GOOGLE_API_KEY= YOUR_API_KEY Save the file, then run the following to apply the changes: source ~/.bashrc If the output of the previous step is /bin/zsh : Open .zshrc : touch ~/.zshrc open ~/.zshrc Add the following line to .zshrc : export GOOGLE_API_KEY= YOUR_API_KEY Save the file, then run the following to apply the changes: source ~/.zshrc Add a shell export variable for your API key, by doing one of the following: If the output of the previous step is /bin/bash : Open .bashrc : touch ~/.bashrc open ~/.bashrc Add the following line to .bashrc : export GOOGLE_API_KEY= YOUR_API_KEY Save the file, then run the following to apply the changes: source ~/.bashrc If the output of the previous step is /bin/bash : Open .bashrc : touch ~/.bashrc open ~/.bashrc Add the following line to .bashrc : export GOOGLE_API_KEY= YOUR_API_KEY Add the following line to .bashrc : Save the file, then run the following to apply the changes: source ~/.bashrc Save the file, then run the following to apply the changes: If the output of the previous step is /bin/zsh : Open .zshrc : touch ~/.zshrc open ~/.zshrc Add the following line to .zshrc : export GOOGLE_API_KEY= YOUR_API_KEY Save the file, then run the following to apply the changes: source ~/.zshrc If the output of the previous step is /bin/zsh : Open .zshrc : touch ~/.zshrc open ~/.zshrc Add the following line to .zshrc : export GOOGLE_API_KEY= YOUR_API_KEY Add the following line to .zshrc : Save the file, then run the following to apply the changes: source ~/.zshrc Save the file, then run the following to apply the changes: Search for "Environment Variables" in the system settings Edit either "User variables" (for current user) or "System variables" (for all users - use with caution). Create the variable and add export GOOGLE_API_KEY= YOUR_API_KEY Apply the changes Except as otherwise noted, the content of this page is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License , and code samples are licensed under the Apache 2.0 License . For details, see the Google Developers Site Policies . Java is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates. Last updated 2026-08-24 UTC.