Newbie after API set up advice

Hi compleete newbie to all of this but i learn by doing so am getting stuck in! i have followed the istructions to set up an API using open router, i opted for the free google gemini api while i learn. when i run it i am getting an error that thoughs arent being generated, do i need to do more than just enter the  export OPENROUTER_API_KEY='your_openrouter_api_key_here' to get the api set up?