Get an API key in 3 minutes

Three short steps — pick a provider, add a small amount of credit (some don’t even require that), and paste the key into the extension.

Minute 1: Choose a provider and sign up

Pick whichever of these you already trust, or whichever is cheapest for your usage pattern (see Why BYOK? for cost examples):

• OpenAI — sign up at platform.openai.com
• Google Gemini — sign up at aistudio.google.com
• OpenRouter — sign up at openrouter.ai (a single account gives you access to many providers’ models)

Any of the three works well with FlashTranslate.Net’s built-in presets — see LLM Configuration for the full preset list.

Minute 2: Add credit

Most providers require a small prepaid balance before their API will respond, though the amount is usually tiny relative to translation costs (see the price examples in Why BYOK?). Some platforms also grant free starter credit on signup, and a few plans work with a zero-balance account for lightweight usage — check the provider’s own billing page for their current policy, since this changes over time.

Minute 3: Get your key and configure the extension

1. In your chosen provider’s dashboard, find the API Keys section (see Getting an API key for the exact path per provider) and create a new key.
2. Copy the key — most providers only show it once, so copy it immediately.
3. Open FlashTranslate.Net’s settings, go to LLM Providers → New configuration, pick the matching preset card, and paste your key in.

(Screenshots/animated walkthrough to be added here.)

That’s it — the configuration wizard tests your key as soon as you paste it, so you’ll know immediately if it works.