# API Key

## Overview

EyePop uses a standard OAuth system to manage access to your Pops. 

In essence, OAuth is a token exchange and management protocol that allows you to create public temporary keys for your authenticated users. Depending on your Pop use case, a temporary key may or may not be necessary so let's explore the main use cases.

The primary Pop use cases are as follows:

1. **Server to Server:** You or a server talks directly to your Pop.
2. **Server to Client:** Your clients talks directly to your Pop - temporary keys are required.

## Quick Start

1. **Go to your Dashboard**

   1. Once you're logged in, navigate to your [EyePop Dashboard](https://dashboard.eyepop.ai/) and click on the hamburger icon in the upper right hand corner.

   <figure><img src="https://1956543008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2tRktyRCGgE1tPlAfT4h%2Fuploads%2FeCqVm8IqnmHIuxePA14B%2FScreenshot%202026-04-01%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8fba2a18-6019-4ad2-8c79-f8309497fe38" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. **Select “API Keys”**

   1. This will take you to a menu of all the API Keys you have generated for your account and will also allow you to create and delete keys.&#x20;

   <figure><img src="https://1956543008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2tRktyRCGgE1tPlAfT4h%2Fuploads%2Fnt2iSrCdvxC5rMf6tOC3%2FScreenshot%202026-04-01%20at%209.59.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=20187901-7845-4050-bd1c-9dc0d3e12575" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. **Create API Key**

   1. Select the "Create API Key" button to create a new key. Give your key a memorable name (e.g., “Starter Integration”, “My App Key”, etc.) and choose an expiration date for the key by clicking on the drop down arrow. Finally, click **"Create"**!

   <div align="right" data-full-width="false"><figure><img src="https://1956543008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2tRktyRCGgE1tPlAfT4h%2Fuploads%2FXmR5l5hzzc9Y8TZMM5HV%2FScreenshot%202026-04-01%20at%2010.32.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=739f5484-5a8a-4219-ab89-47619fb5ed23" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

**Copy and Save Your Key**

4. Once your key is generated, **copy it immediately**—you won’t be able to view it again later.

   <figure><img src="https://1956543008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2tRktyRCGgE1tPlAfT4h%2Fuploads%2FSBpQ1EHk4uplyiYinQnJ%2FScreenshot%202026-04-01%20at%2010.31.26%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1d7aa64a-786d-40aa-a012-9db04ecd9b45" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

🔒 **Important:** Treat this key like a password—don’t share it publicly. If you lose it, you can delete it and generate a new one from your dashboard.