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Quick Rephrase Add to Chrome

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Do I need a Gemini API key for Quick Rephrase?

Quick answer: no for on-device Nano or WebLLM. A Gemini key is optional fallback, or required only if Cloud is your primary engine.

Short answer: No API key is required to start with Quick Rephrase on supported Chrome desktops.

When you do not need a key

  • Chrome Nano (default): runs on-device with Chrome’s built-in Gemini Nano.
  • WebLLM (optional): local WebGPU model inside the extension (~1 GB one-time download).

When you do need a key

  • You set Cloud as the primary engine in Settings, or
  • Nano/WebLLM can’t finish and you want Gemini cloud as fallback.

Get a free key from Google AI Studio, then paste it in Settings.

Privacy note

On-device and WebLLM keep inference local. Cloud sends only the text you selected to Gemini when that engine runs. Your key stays in local extension storage.