# Get an API key: Mistral

> Mistral gates on activation rather than on a deposit: activate the account - free mode counts - then create the key and paste it into Big-AGI.

- Canonical: https://big-agi.com/docs/connect-mistral
- Minimum tier: open  [Open ⊂ Free ⊂ Pro - a tier only ever ADDS to the Open baseline]
- Kind: provider · Last content update generation: 2026-07-27 · Review by: 2026-10-27
- Answers: Where do I create a Mistral API key? · Do I have to activate the account before it works? · Does Direct Connection work with Mistral?

A new Mistral account has to be activated before its key does anything. The [quickstart](https://docs.mistral.ai/getting-started/quickstart/) names a free activation mode next to the paid one, so a first answer is reachable with no payment method on file.

## Activating the account

Paid activation adds a payment method; free mode does not. Mistral's [terms](https://mistral.ai/terms#privacy-policy) differ between the two modes - read them before sending anything you care about. The account is European, and the key hangs off it. The enforceable limit is the billing and limits area inside [console.mistral.ai](https://console.mistral.ai/).

## Then the key itself

1. Sign in at [console.mistral.ai](https://console.mistral.ai/).
2. Activate - the quickstart names this step **Activate Studio and generate an API key**.
3. Create the key in the console's API keys area, then copy it.

## Handing the key to Big-AGI

Open **Models** (`Ctrl + Shift + M`) and press **More Services** if the **Setup AI Models** wizard appears. Then **Add** -> **Mistral**, paste into **Mistral Key**, and press **Models** - the list filling in below is your confirmation ([add and manage your keys](/docs/connect-models)).

## Direct Connection

Direct Connection can be turned on once the key is in the browser. It starts off.

> **Direct Connection works only with your API key stored in the browser**, and with an AI service that permits direct browser calls (CORS). Where it cannot be used, requests route through the Big-AGI fast edge servers instead - everything still works, within the standard upload size and time limits.

## Related

- [Connect an AI service](/docs/connect-models)
- [What your provider does with your text](/docs/privacy-data-flow)
- [Direct Connection](/docs/feature-direct-connection)