> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.eyepop.ai/developer-documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.eyepop.ai/developer-documentation/api-keys.md).

# API Keys

Create, store, and safely hand out EyePop credentials

An EyePop **API key** is a long-lived secret (prefixed `eyp_`) that authenticates your requests. Create one in the [dashboard](https://dashboard.eyepop.ai) and set it as `EYEPOP_API_KEY` on your server — the SDKs and CLI pick it up automatically.

```bash
export EYEPOP_API_KEY=eyp_...
```

Treat the key like a password: it belongs on your server, never in a browser or mobile app bundle.

### Create a key

1. In the [dashboard](https://dashboard.eyepop.ai/), click the hamburger icon in the upper right.

   <figure><img src="https://1956543008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2tRktyRCGgE1tPlAfT4h%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-35a1a466714757645912689b754010b4aec20be0%2FScreenshot%202026-04-01%20at%209.51.59%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. Select **API Keys** to see every key you own, and to create or delete keys.

   <figure><img src="https://1956543008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2tRktyRCGgE1tPlAfT4h%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8ba3b30a1880793865aa6227593a16573db6ce45%2FScreenshot%202026-04-01%20at%209.59.35%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. Click **Create API Key**, give it a memorable name (`Starter Integration`, `My App Key`), and 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%2Fgit-blob-c8c85e9209866327995a4c6c822802c0c3a3dd40%2FScreenshot%202026-04-01%20at%2010.32.47%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. **Copy the key immediately** — you cannot view it again. If you lose it, delete it and create a new one.

   <figure><img src="https://1956543008-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2tRktyRCGgE1tPlAfT4h%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ef73764ed703ff806f2e7715ea7011f41cdf50f9%2FScreenshot%202026-04-01%20at%2010.31.26%E2%80%AFAM.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="warning" %}
Keep API keys out of source control, shared shell history, and client bundles.
{% endhint %}

### Next steps

* [Quickstart](/developer-documentation/quickstart.md) — put the key to work in a first inference
* [SDKs](/developer-documentation/sdks.md) — call EyePop from Python or Node
* **CLI** — open the CLI section in this site's navigation to use the key for scripts and CI