What is Groq, and why is it free?

Groq is an AI inference platform that provides free API access to open-source models like Llama 3.3. Their free tier is generous — enough for everyday GoldMindy use without paying anything.

GoldMindy uses a BYOK (Bring Your Own Key) model: your API key stays on your device, and requests go directly from your browser to Groq's servers. GoldMindy itself never sees your content — but Groq processes it to generate tags and summaries. AI refinement is opt-in; your cards stay fully local if you don't use it.

What you unlock

🏷️
AI Tags
Groq reads your card and extracts the most relevant concepts as tags.
📝
Summaries
One-line distillation of what the card is actually about.
⚡
Custom Prompts
Send any card to The Forge with your own instructions.

Step-by-step setup

1
Go to console.groq.com Create a free account if you don't have one. It takes under a minute — no credit card required.
2
Create an API key In the Groq console, go to API Keys in the left sidebar and click Create API Key. Give it a name (e.g. "GoldMindy") and copy the key — it starts with gsk_...
3
Open GoldMindy Settings Click the ⚙️ icon in the top-right corner of GoldMindy to open the Command Center.
4
Paste your key and save Paste the key into the Groq API Key field and click Save Settings. Leave the model field as the default — it works well for most users.
5
Refine your first card In INTAKE, click the refine button on any card. GoldMindy will call Groq, extract tags, and write a summary — all locally, in seconds.

Frequently asked questions

Is Groq really free?
Yes. Groq's free tier covers thousands of requests per day — far more than a typical GoldMindy session uses. You only pay if you exceed their free limits, which is unlikely for personal use.
Does GoldMindy see my API key or card content?
GoldMindy never sees your API key or card content. Your key is stored locally on your device, and refinement requests go directly from your browser to Groq. Groq processes the content to generate tags and summaries — GoldMindy's own servers play no role.
Which Groq model should I use?
The default model gives the best balance of quality and speed. You can try other Groq-supported models by changing the model field in Settings, but the default is fine for most users.
The refine button is greyed out — why?
This means no Groq API key is saved yet. Open ⚙️ Settings, paste your key, and click Save Settings. The button will activate immediately.

Once Groq is connected, try selecting multiple cards in INTAKE and sending them to The Forge for a multi-card synthesis — that's where the real thinking happens.