Why You Need Two Keys
Ghostly AI does two jobs during an interview, and each one uses a service you sign up for yourself:
- Speech-to-text: Deepgram turns the interviewer's voice into text, live.
- AI answers: one AI provider (Gemini, Groq, OpenRouter, NVIDIA, OpenAI, Anthropic or Grok) writes the suggested answer.
Because the keys are yours, Ghostly AI's price (₹79 a month after 10 free minutes) does not have to cover AI usage. Many people stay inside the free tiers.
Free tiers and their limits are set by each provider and change from time to time. The steps below were written in October 2026; if a screen looks different, look for "API keys" in the provider's console.
Which AI Provider Should You Start With?
| Provider | Free tier | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini (Google AI Studio) | Yes, with daily limits | Good answers and screen analysis; a free key in two minutes with a Google account |
| Groq | Yes, with rate limits | Very fast answers; text only (no screen analysis) |
| OpenRouter | Free models available | Many models behind one key, including free ones |
| OpenAI, Anthropic, Grok | Paid (add credit first) | When you already pay for one of them |
Our suggestion for a first setup: Gemini for answers and screen analysis, plus Groq as a fast backup for when Gemini's free daily limit is reached.
1. Gemini API Key (Google AI Studio)
- Open aistudio.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
- Choose Get API key, then Create API key.
- Copy the key (it starts with "AIza" or "AQ.").
- In Ghostly AI, open Settings → API Keys, paste it under Gemini and press Test Key.
When the free daily limit is reached, Gemini stops answering until the limit resets; switch to your Groq key in Settings to keep going.
2. Groq API Key
- Open console.groq.com and sign up.
- Go to API Keys and choose Create API Key; give it a name such as "Ghostly".
- Copy the key straight away (it is shown only once).
- Paste it under Groq in Ghostly AI and press Test Key.
Groq is very fast, but its models read text only, so use Gemini or OpenRouter for screen analysis (Ctrl + E).
3. OpenRouter API Key
- Open openrouter.ai and sign up.
- Go to Keys and create a key.
- Paste it under OpenRouter in Ghostly AI and choose one of the free models in Settings.
Pick a model that reads images if you want screen analysis.
4. Deepgram API Key (Speech-to-Text)
- Open console.deepgram.com and sign up.
- New accounts get free credit for transcription.
- Go to API Keys and create a key with the default permissions.
- Paste it in Ghostly AI under Deepgram and press Test Key.
Without a Deepgram key the app cannot hear the interviewer, so add this one first.
Keep Your Keys Safe
- Paste keys only into the app on your own PC. Ghostly AI keeps them on your PC, sealed by Windows, and never sends them to our servers.
- Never share a key in WhatsApp, e-mail, a support ticket or a screenshot. If you did, delete it in the provider's console and create a new one.
- One key per app. If you use the same provider elsewhere, create a separate key for Ghostly AI, so you can delete one without breaking the other.
When Something Does Not Work
| What you see | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| "API key not valid" | A typo, or the key was deleted | Create a new key and paste it again |
| "Daily quota reached" (Gemini) | The free daily limit is used up | Switch to Groq or OpenRouter in Settings until it resets |
| "Request too large" (Groq) | The question plus context is over Groq's limit | Shorten custom instructions, or switch provider |
| "Deepgram API key missing" | No speech key yet | Add a Deepgram key (step 4) |
The how-to guide has the full setup with pictures and a short video.
Common Questions
Is the Gemini API key free?
Yes. Google AI Studio gives a free API key with daily limits, which is enough for practice and many interviews. Paid use is billed by Google, not by Ghostly AI.
Is the Groq API key free?
Yes. Groq has a free tier with rate limits. It is very fast, but its models read text only, so use Gemini or OpenRouter for screen analysis.
Do I need to pay for Deepgram?
New Deepgram accounts get free credit for transcription. After that, Deepgram bills you directly for what you use.
Is it safe to paste my API key into Ghostly AI?
Yes. The key stays on your PC, sealed by Windows (Electron safeStorage / DPAPI), and is never sent to Ghostly AI. Only the provider you chose receives your questions.
Which provider gives the fastest answers?
Groq is usually the fastest; Gemini is a good balance of speed and quality and also reads screenshots.
