Get set up fast

Setup

Everything you need to get Caption Caddie running on your Mac, connect your Gemini key, and run a Session from incoming photos to Delivery.

macOS 15+ Gemini BYOK Session: Cull → Delivery Wire-ready IPTC/XMP

System requirements

macOS 15 or later and your own Google Gemini API key. Photo Mechanic is optional for wire stationery and code replacements.

Good news

IPTC/XMP metadata write is built in. No separate ExifTool install or Homebrew setup required.

Connect Google Gemini

Bring your own AI key

Caption Caddie uses your own Google Gemini API key for cloud jersey detection and captioning. Create the key in Google AI Studio, paste it once in Settings (⌘,), and pay Google directly for usage.

⌘, open Settings
~$4 per ~2,500 images
Keychain secure storage

  1. Create the key

    Make a Gemini API key in Google AI Studio.

  2. Paste it once

    Open Settings (⌘,) in Caption Caddie and paste the key into the Gemini field.

  3. Track usage

    Check Settings → Stats for session, month, and lifetime usage with exact and estimated cost.

Caption Caddie Stats with lifetime Gemini cost and image processing metrics
Real-world testing: 2,467 images processed, ~$3.98 to $4.02 estimated Gemini API cost (gemini-3.1-flash-lite).
Caption Caddie Gemini usage panel with lifetime cost breakdown
Lifetime usage: 2,467 photos for $3.98 estimated, with a direct link to Google AI Studio spend.

Bring-your-own-key pricing keeps the app affordable. AI usage stays on your Google account instead of being bundled into a subscription. See our privacy policy for how images are processed.

Session workflow tips

Matchups and Teams

Create a Matchup or Event, attach rosters, set jersey colors, and make it active before you open Session.

Ingest

Bring photos in via drag-and-drop, watch folder, or File → Import. Frames land in Incoming Photos for the Session.

Cull → Caption / Edit

Rate selects in Cull. Caption roster-aware AI frames and Approve (⌘↩). Quick Edit when a light finish helps — Caption and Edit are flexible.

Delivery

Export Selected images and send via FTP or FTPES. Track Exported and Sent inside Caption Caddie — you do not have to leave the app to transmit.

Still using Photo Mechanic? Import code replacements and merge wire XMP stationery as usual — see the Photo Mechanic workflow guide.