# How the Zero free preview works, and how to add your own Gemini key

Source: https://0xr.space/m/how/zero-assistant-free-preview-and-your-own-gemini-key  
Published 2026-10-10, updated 2026-10-20, by ZeroXR, the maker of Model Explorer (https://0xr.space/).

Zero, the voice assistant in Model Explorer at 0xr.space, works with no key and no sign-in while Model Explorer launches: press Zero on the dock and speak. Settings says “Free while Model Explorer launches. Add your own key later.” Once you add your own Gemini API key, Zero runs on your key and the preview's limits no longer apply.

The preview is issued in sessions of 10 minutes, with a daily allowance for each device and network and a shared total for everyone, reset at midnight UTC. When it is spent the panel says “The preview allowance resets daily. Add your own Gemini API key in Settings to keep going now.” A key you add is kept only in this browser.

## Steps

1. Get a key: Settings links to Get a free key at Google AI Studio.
2. Open Settings at 0xr.space and find Gemini API key.
3. Paste the key into the Paste key field. The line beside it says when it is checked.
4. Press Zero on the dock and speak; it now runs on your key.

## Questions

### Do I need an account?

No. The preview needs nothing, and a key of your own is pasted into Settings, not into an account.

### Where is my key stored?

Only in this browser on this device. Add it again on each device you use.

### When does the preview reset?

Every day at midnight UTC.

### Does my own key cost money?

That depends on your Google AI Studio plan; Google sets the free tier and its limits, not Zero.

## Related guides

- [How to fix microphone permission for the Zero voice assistant](https://0xr.space/m/how/fix-microphone-permission-for-the-voice-assistant)
- [How to connect the Zero assistant to an AI agent on your computer](https://0xr.space/m/how/connect-the-zero-assistant-to-an-ai-agent-on-your-computer)
- [How to talk to a voice assistant about a 3D model](https://0xr.space/m/how/talk-to-a-voice-assistant-about-a-3d-model)
- [How to ask an AI to explain the parts of a 3D model in VR](https://0xr.space/m/how/ask-ai-to-explain-the-parts-of-a-3d-model-in-vr)