Add Gemini free-tier key guide and README links

Author: apartsin

README.md

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ Release links:
 7. Select the extracted folder that contains `manifest.json` (for example `Web2Comics-v1.0.1`).
 8. In `chrome://extensions`, confirm the `Web2Comics` card is enabled (toggle ON).
 9. Open the Chrome Extensions menu (puzzle icon), find `Web2Comics`, and click the pin icon to show it in the toolbar.
-10. Open the extension and configure a `Google Gemini` API key in `Options -> Providers` (recommended first-run setup).
+10. Open the extension and configure a `Google Gemini` API key (free tier) in `Options -> Providers` (recommended first-run setup).
 11. Open any article, click `Create Comic`, and generate a 3-panel summary.
 
 Note: `Code -> Download ZIP` downloads the full source repository. Use the release asset ZIP for installation.
@@ -100,6 +100,8 @@ Why: this reduces token/image usage and improves chances of success on free-tier
 
 If Gemini free tier is unavailable for your account/region, configure another provider (Cloudflare, OpenRouter, Hugging Face, OpenAI). Web2Comics can fall back automatically to other configured providers on quota/budget failures.
 
+Need a Gemini key for the free tier? See `docs/Gemini_key.md`.
+
 ## Provider Keys / Tokens
 
 Configure providers in:
@@ -111,6 +113,7 @@ The extension includes:
 
 For step-by-step key/token instructions, see:
 - `docs/user-manual.html` (appendix)
+- `docs/Gemini_key.md` (quick Gemini API key setup for free tier access)
 
 ## Requirements / Compatibility
 

docs/Gemini_key.md

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+# Gemini API Key Guide (Google AI Studio, Free Tier)
+
+Step-by-step instructions to obtain a Google Gemini API key for Web2Comics using Google AI Studio (Gemini free tier access).
+
+## Quick Link
+
+- Google AI Studio API keys page: https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
+
+## What You Need
+
+- A Google account
+- Access to Google AI Studio in your region
+- Gemini free tier availability for your account/region (AI Studio limits vary)
+
+## Steps
+
+1. Open Google AI Studio:
+   - https://aistudio.google.com/
+
+2. Sign in with your Google account (if prompted).
+
+3. Open the API Keys page:
+   - https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
+
+4. Click `Create API key`.
+   - If asked, choose or create a Google Cloud project.
+
+5. Copy the generated API key.
+   - Treat it like a password.
+   - Do not share it publicly or commit it to Git.
+
+6. Open Web2Comics in Chrome.
+   - Click the Web2Comics toolbar icon
+   - Open `Options -> Providers`
+
+7. Paste the key into the Gemini provider field.
+
+8. Click `Validate`, then click `Save Providers`.
+
+9. Return to the popup and generate a comic.
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+- AI Studio page does not open or key creation is unavailable:
+  - Check region/account eligibility in Google AI Studio
+  - Try a different Google account
+
+- Key validates but generation fails:
+  - Check quota/usage limits in AI Studio
+  - Retry with fewer panels (for example `3`) and lower detail
+
+- Gemini not visible/usable in Web2Comics:
+  - Confirm the key was saved in `Options -> Providers`
+  - Re-open the extension popup after saving
+
+## Security Notes
+
+- Keep your Gemini API key private.
+- Do not paste your key into screenshots, issue reports, or public chats.
+- If a key is exposed, revoke/regenerate it in AI Studio and update Web2Comics.