---
title: Using Gemini Free Tier with VS Code Chat
url: https://calvin.my/posts/using-gemini-free-tier-with-vs-code-chat
published: 2025-04-08
updated: 2026-09-17
category: AI
tags:
- VS Code
- gemini
summary: The post explains how to enable Google Gemini’s free-tier models in Visual Studio Code’s chat interface. Users first generate an API key through Google AI Studio, then open the chat panel, access model management, choose Gemini, and enter the key. After validation, available Gemini models can be selected and saved, allowing them to be used directly in VS Code chat.
---

# Using Gemini Free Tier with VS Code Chat

## Steps to get Gemini models in VS Code chat

1. Obtain an API Key via [Google AI Studio](https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey).

2. Launch VS Code and use `Cmd + Ctrl + I` to show the Chat window.

3. Click on the model drop-down box and select manage models.

   ![](https://camy-pub.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/559927e1-70e6-45c5-8f93-52696d17eeab.png)

4. Select Gemini and paste your API Key into the box.

5. Once the API key is validated, you can pick models.

   ![](https://camy-pub.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/ab73a005-ec54-4747-ab62-6f6a018705ff.png)

6. Press OK to save and the model is ready to use.