Gemini in Obsidian: API Key, Copilot and Gemini Scribe, Step by Step

To use Gemini in Obsidian, get a Gemini API key from Google AI Studio and paste it into a community plugin. Obsidian has no AI of its own. Copilot is the most-used plugin that takes a Gemini key, and Gemini Scribe is the plugin built around Gemini.

The plugins worth starting with:

• Copilot for chat with your vault, with Gemini as a bring-your-own-key provider.
• Gemini Scribe for a Gemini-first agent that reads and edits notes, plus rewrites, summaries and completions.
• Smart Composer for chat with note context and one-click edits, with Gemini as a provider.
• Agent Client if you want Gemini CLI in a sidebar instead of an API key in a plugin. Desktop only.

We make SystemSculpt, an Obsidian AI plugin that doesn't connect to Gemini, so this guide recommends other plugins. Plugin facts checked November 3, 2026, against each plugin's README, docs and manifest.

Which setup fits

Step 1: Get a Gemini API key

1. Go to Google AI Studio's API key page and sign in with your Google account.
2. New users get a project and key automatically after accepting the terms. If you already use Google Cloud, import a project from Dashboard, Projects, Import projects.
3. On the API Keys page, select Create API key and copy it.

Treat the key like a password. Google's own advice: never commit it to Git, and set billing alerts once you add a billing account.

The Gemini API has a free tier with limited access to certain models. Some models are paid only. Limits and prices change often, so check the current pricing page before you pick a model. Read the data section below before you send private notes on the free tier.

Step 2: Connect a plugin

Copilot: chat with your vault

Install Copilot from Settings, Community plugins, Browse. Copilot works without a Copilot license when you bring your own key. Then, per Copilot's provider guide:

1. Open Settings, Copilot, BYOK.
2. Select Add a provider. Google is listed under Recommended as the Gemini family.
3. Paste your API key, select or type at least one model, select Test, then Save.

New models are turned on for Quick Chat and for Copilot's OpenCode agent by default. Choose which ones show under Basic, Agents, Quick Chat. Copilot keeps the key in this device's Obsidian Keychain, not in your vault, so a synced vault doesn't carry the key to another computer. Quick Chat also works on mobile. Agent Chat is desktop only.

Gemini Scribe: a Gemini-first agent

Gemini Scribe was built for Gemini and later added Ollama, OpenAI and Anthropic. It is MIT licensed and runs on desktop and mobile.

1. Open Settings, then Gemini Scribe under Community plugins.
2. Under Providers, add the Gemini card and paste your API key. The plugin stores it in Obsidian's SecretStorage.
3. On the Features page, route Chat and agent, Summaries, Completions and Rewrite to Gemini and pick a model for each.
4. Open chat from the ribbon icon or the command palette: Gemini Scribe: Open Gemini chat.

The agent can search, read, create, edit, move and delete notes. You can turn on a diff view that shows each proposed change before it is written. Google Search, Deep Research and the vault search index only work with Gemini. Select text and right-click for Gemini Scribe: Rewrite text... or Gemini Scribe: Ask question....

Smart Composer: chat with one-click edits

1. Install Smart Composer from Settings, Community plugins, Browse.
2. Open Settings, Smart Composer, Providers and add your Gemini key.

Its README recommends the Gemini API as the best free option for the plugin, and adds a warning to review the provider's privacy policy before sending sensitive data. Version 1.2.8 can also connect a Gemini account without a key. The README warns that this sign-in is not the same as official API access. Note that the developer says the plugin is not under active development.

Gemini CLI in Obsidian

Gemini CLI is Google's terminal agent. Run gemini in a terminal opened in your vault folder, and it works on the notes there. Since June 18, 2026, it no longer serves free, Google AI Pro or Google AI Ultra accounts, which Google moved to Antigravity CLI; a paid Gemini API key or Vertex AI still works. Inside Obsidian, Agent Client has a Gemini CLI preset that launches your installed CLI and asks before each action by default.

What leaves your computer

With a Gemini API key, the plugin sends your prompt and any note content it includes to Google. Copilot and Gemini Scribe both say they send it directly, with no server of their own in between. What Google does with that content depends on your tier, per the Gemini API terms:

• Free tier. Google uses prompts and responses to improve its products. Human reviewers may read them, after Google disconnects them from your account and key. The terms say: "Do not submit sensitive, confidential, or personal information to the Unpaid Services."
• Paid tier. Your API use counts as paid only through a Cloud project with an active billing account. Google doesn't use those prompts or responses to improve its products. It logs them for a limited period to detect misuse.
• EEA, Switzerland and the UK. For users located there, the paid-tier data terms apply to all use, including the free quota.

Two plugin-specific things to check:

• Gemini Scribe's vault search index uploads note content to Google File Search, not just the text of one request. It is off by default. Leave Index this vault off if you don't want your vault stored there.
• Copilot's hosted models go to Copilot's own servers. With only your Gemini key, Copilot's README says Brevilabs does not receive your messages.

Where SystemSculpt fits

SystemSculpt doesn't take a Gemini key. It runs your own installed Claude Code or Codex inside Obsidian on desktop, free, with no SystemSculpt account. If you already pay for Claude or ChatGPT, that may be the simpler path. See Claude Code in Obsidian and Codex in Obsidian. For hosted AI on desktop and mobile, eligible new accounts can claim 500 one-time starter credits with no card, then it costs $9 a month or $90 a year.

Questions

Does Obsidian have Gemini built in? No. Obsidian has no built-in AI. You add Gemini through a community plugin and your own API key.

What is the best Gemini plugin for Obsidian? Copilot if you want Gemini next to other providers in one chat. Gemini Scribe if you want the most Gemini features, such as Google Search grounding and Deep Research. Smart Composer if you like to review edits before applying them.

Is the Gemini API free? It has a free tier with limited models and limits. On the free tier, Google uses your content to improve its products and humans may review it. Add a billing account for the paid tier, where it doesn't. Check current prices.

Can I use Gemini CLI with Obsidian? Yes, from a terminal opened in your vault folder, or inside Obsidian with the Agent Client plugin on desktop. Since June 18, 2026, Gemini CLI needs a paid API key or Vertex AI. Free and Google AI Pro or Ultra accounts moved to Antigravity CLI.

Does NotebookLM connect to Obsidian? No. Google renamed NotebookLM to Gemini Notebook in July 2026, and its help pages don't mention Obsidian. You upload Markdown files or paste note text as sources. An unofficial community plugin exists, but it relies on undocumented Google APIs and browser cookies.

Can Gemini use an Obsidian MCP server? Gemini Scribe can connect to MCP servers, marked experimental, and Gemini CLI reads MCP servers from ~/.gemini/settings.json. See our Obsidian MCP server guide.

Does it work on iPhone or Android? Yes for Gemini Scribe and Smart Composer, which aren't desktop only, and for Copilot's Quick Chat. Agent Client and Copilot's Agent Chat are desktop only.

Can SystemSculpt use Gemini? No. SystemSculpt has no provider or API key setting. It runs Claude Code, Codex or its own hosted AI.

Install SystemSculpt free from the Obsidian plugin directory to run Claude Code or Codex in your vault, or compare its plans for hosted AI.

Sources

Checked November 3, 2026.

• Google AI Studio: API key guide, pricing, Gemini API terms
• Copilot: README, model sources and BYOK guide
• Gemini Scribe: README, provider capabilities, settings reference
• Smart Composer: README
• Agent Client: README, Gemini CLI setup
• Gemini CLI: README, transition announcement, Google's deprecation notice
• Gemini Notebook: rename announcement, supported sources
• SystemSculpt: Choose your AI, pricing, privacy policy