diff --git a/lib/cloud-run-workspace.ts b/lib/cloud-run-workspace.ts
index 54e1de1..59d1366 100644
--- a/lib/cloud-run-workspace.ts
+++ b/lib/cloud-run-workspace.ts
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ export async function provisionTheiaWorkspace(
           { name: 'GITEA_API_URL',     value: process.env.GITEA_API_URL ?? 'https://git.vibnai.com' },
           // Token lets the startup script clone and push to the project's repo
           { name: 'GITEA_TOKEN',       value: process.env.GITEA_API_TOKEN ?? '' },
+          // Gemini API key — needed by startup.sh to configure AI features in Theia
+          { name: 'GOOGLE_API_KEY',    value: process.env.GOOGLE_API_KEY ?? '' },
         ],
         // 5 minute startup timeout — Theia needs time to initialise
         startupProbe: {