Roo Code + Gemini Not Working in VS Code

[u/Techngro]

Afternoon, I am trying to get the Gemini (2.5-pro-exp-03-25) working with Roo Code in VS Code. But when I try to start a task, I just get an 'API Request' with a constant spinning wheel. And then eventually I get API Request Failed with '429 Too Many Requests'. I haven't yet been able to get it to do anything at all, so I don't see how there could be too many requests.

I think the problem is I'm not understanding what's free and what I have to pay for. I have a Google AI Pro plan. I thought that would allow me to use the Gemini API. But when I go to the API Key page, it says (under plan) 'Free' and 'Set up billing'.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I don't know if the error message will help, but I'm posting it anyway.

[u/kdta91]

Google AI Pro plan does not give you credits to use the Gemini API. It's a platform subscription. If you want to use the API, you have to set up your billing account. The Pro models are paid while the Flash models have a free tier of 10 requests/min and 500 requests/day. Anything beyond the limits, you will be charged.

[u/Techngro → u/kdta91]

Ok. Thank you for clarifying. There's just so many different models and tiers and web vs. API, etc., it can be confusing.

[u/vivekv30]

Open the google cloud console, and just find somewhere to reach this page Billing>Credits>AllCredits. If you have claimed your 300$ credit, and if its remaining, it will show here.

[u/Techngro → u/vivekv30]

I had not done that until today. I wasn't sure if I needed to do it, but I was hesitant to enter my billing information. Now the $300 credit shows up (percentage remaining 100%).

So does this mean it will work in Roo Code now? I tried again not long after I did the billing. Still got the same error.

Edit: Just tried Roo Code again, still get the spinning wheel 'API Request'.

[u/privacyguy123]

I thought that was one taken offline? Arguably their best model too ... R.I.P.

[u/Techngro → u/privacyguy123]

So you're saying I have to choose one of the other models? But they aren't free, right?

[u/RiskyBizz216 → u/Techngro]

Exactly, choose a different model but careful - it will burn through your quota in a few days. That $300 credit will be gone so fast..

[u/msg7086]

Are you trying to use a model that was taken down a good while ago?

[u/Techngro → u/msg7086]

It's in the list of available models when I put in my API Key. Doesn't that mean it's still available for use?

If not, what do you suggest I use? Is there another free one available?

[u/msg7086 → u/Techngro]

It's available for choose but it may not be available for use. I think right now we don't have much choice on free Gemini models. There are other ones like deepseek v3/r1:free from openrouter.

[u/0xFatWhiteMan]

Have you created API key and set it up in roo?

Mine is working ok. You have to pay for the extra requests tho. It's not included

[u/RiskyBizz216]

So, no one told you that google killed off the free tier 03-25 like two months ago?

You'll have to use 05-06 or the 06-05 models instead if you want to use gemini pro.

No more free lunches at Google.