Settings Tab
The Settings tab is where you manage your fal.ai API key, verify your connection, and control what data is stored locally.
API Key Entry
Section titled “API Key Entry”Paste your fal.ai API key into the key field. The key is validated immediately — you do not need to click a separate “test” button.
Getting an API Key
Section titled “Getting an API Key”- Go to fal.ai/dashboard/keys
- Click Create Key
- Name it (e.g., “modelBridge”)
- Copy the key — it is shown only once
See the API Key Setup guide for full instructions.
Connection Status
Section titled “Connection Status”The Settings tab shows a real-time connection status indicator:
| Status | Indicator | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Connected | Green checkmark | Key is valid and fal.ai is reachable |
| Invalid key | Red indicator | The API key was rejected by fal.ai — check for typos or generate a new key |
| No key entered | Neutral state | No API key has been provided yet |
When you enter or change the API key, the plugin validates it by making a test request to fal.ai. If the key is valid, all previously gated models are automatically rechecked — models that were blocked due to access restrictions may become available with the new key.
What Is Stored Locally
Section titled “What Is Stored Locally”Your API key is stored in two places on your machine:
- localStorage — for fast access during the session
- Local settings file — managed by the plugin’s data directory for persistence across sessions
What Is Never Sent
Section titled “What Is Never Sent”- Your API key is never transmitted to modelBridge or any third party
- It is used exclusively for direct communication between your machine and fal.ai’s API
- No usage data, prompts, or generation history leaves your machine (except to fal.ai for generation)
Removing Your API Key
Section titled “Removing Your API Key”To remove your stored API key:
- Clear the key field in the Settings tab
- The connection status resets to “No key entered”
The key is removed from both localStorage and the settings file. You will need to re-enter it to generate content.
Privacy
Section titled “Privacy”modelBridge communicates with only two external services:
| Service | Purpose | Data Sent |
|---|---|---|
| fal.ai | AI generation, schema fetching, pricing | Your API key, prompts, uploaded media |
| LemonSqueezy | License validation at startup | License key + machine identifier only |
No analytics, no tracking pixels, no telemetry, no third-party data collection.
All user data — settings, generation history, installed models, cost logs, learned constraints — is stored locally on your machine. There is no “modelBridge server” that your data is sent to.
Data Reset
Section titled “Data Reset”The Settings tab includes a reset option to clear all locally stored data. This removes:
- Installed models and their schemas
- Generation history and cost logs
- Learned constraints
- User settings and preferences
The reset requires typing “DELETE” as confirmation to prevent accidental data loss. Your API key must be re-entered after a reset.
See Updating modelBridge for what persists through plugin updates (everything — reset is only for a full clean start).