> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.clipstake.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Authentication

> Create an API key in the ClipStake Console and authenticate Pulse API requests.

## Create an API key

1. Sign in to the [ClipStake Console](https://console.clipstake.com/keys).
2. Select the project that will own the API key.
3. Click **Create an API key**, give the key a recognizable name, and create it.
4. Copy the key immediately. The Console only shows the complete key once.

<Warning>
  Keep API keys secret. Do not expose them in browser code, mobile apps, public
  repositories, or logs.
</Warning>

## Authenticate requests

Send the key in the `Authorization` header as a Bearer token on every request:

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://api.clipstake.com/v1/users?limit=25" \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $CLIPSTAKE_API_KEY"
```

Store the key in an environment variable instead of placing it directly in
source code:

```bash theme={null}
export CLIPSTAKE_API_KEY="pk_live_..."
```

API keys are scoped to a project. To stop a key from working, revoke it from
the **API Keys** page in the Console.