SETUP.md

Setup Instructions

API Keys Configuration

1. Copy the environment template:

   cd backend
   cp .env.example .env

2. Add your Google API key to backend/.env:

   • Get your API key from: https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
   • Click "Create API Key"
   • Copy the key

3. The .env file should look like:

   GOOGLE_API_KEY=AIzaSyAC01g1nY4O0ZtPnu-qdKY7nH_1FkhBbXE
   DEBUG=True

4. Restart the backend server to load the new environment variables:

   cd backend
   uvicorn app.main:app --reload

What Uses the Google API?

• ✅ AI Career Recommendations (Universal Career Advisor)
• ✅ Cold Email Generation (Professor Research feature)
• ✅ Any future AI-powered features

Security Notes

• ✅ .env file is in .gitignore - your key won't be committed
• ✅ Never share your API key
• ✅ Use .env.example as a template for team members

Getting Your Google API Key

1. Go to: https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey
2. Sign in with your Google account
3. Click "Create API Key"
4. Choose "Create API key in new project" (or use existing project)
5. Copy the key and paste it into backend/.env

Note: Google Gemini API has a generous free tier!