Gemini models not using API key

[Panos_Zepos]

Where does the bug appear (feature/product)?

Cursor IDE

Describe the Bug

I have added my AI Studio API key but cursor is charging me for using google models. Is this intended behaviour? What is the purpose of supporting API key imports if it is?

Also, do models used over API key take the mode restrictions? Gemini is making changes on plan mode and ask mode - is this intentional?

Steps to Reproduce

Use Gemini API key → get charge by cursor for using gemini models

Expected Behavior

No charge since I am supplying my own key

Operating System

MacOS

Current Cursor Version (Menu → About Cursor → Copy)

Version: 2.2.23
VSCode Version: 1.105.1
Commit: b3c95a7981bb3057526f1f865e8c307a9911ce00
Date: 2025-12-15T03:10:57.241Z
Electron: 37.7.0
Chromium: 138.0.7204.251
Node.js: 22.20.0
V8: 13.8.258.32-electron.0
OS: Darwin arm64 25.2.0

For AI issues: which model did you use?

Gemini-3-pro-preview

Does this stop you from using Cursor

Sometimes - I can sometimes use Cursor

[Colin]

Hey @Panos_Zepos!

Most billing questions are best handled by contacting [email protected]. That being said, I’d be curious to see what you’re looking at that shows you being charged? Keeping in mind:

API Keys not working on team plan after reaching limits

Hi @gabe_santo_arion, Thanks for the report! Even when using custom API keys, requests still flow through Cursor’s infrastructure for features like context retrieval, indexing, and request handling. This incurs a small amount of usage, so if there’s no credit left on your account (and no on-demand usage available), you will not be able to make requests. I recommend topping up your on-demand usage a bit to continue using models with BYOK!

@Panos_Zepos

Also, do models used over API key take the mode restrictions? Gemini is making changes on plan mode and ask mode - is this intentional?

There shouldn’t be anything related to BYOK here – could you raise a new report including Request IDs with privacy mode disabled?

Thanks!