> ## 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, send it with each request and revoke it.

Every request needs an API key. An API key starts with `cc_live_`.

## Before you start

ClipStake turns the Creator API on for your account. Until then, the
**Creator API** section does not show in Settings. Contact ClipStake support
to ask for it.

## Create an API key

1. Sign in to the ClipStake web app.
2. Open **Settings**, then **Social**, and find **Creator API**.
3. Select **Create API key** and give the key a name.
4. Copy the key. ClipStake shows it only once.

You can have up to 5 active API keys.

## Send the API key

Send the API key in the `Authorization` header of each request.

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://app.clipstake.com/api/v1/creator/campaigns" \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer cc_live_..."
```

The API does not accept a key in the URL or in a cookie. An Agency API key
does not work here.

## What an API key can do

An API key acts for your account only. It can:

* Read the campaigns that ClipStake opened to your account.
* Read your connected accounts and your clips on those campaigns.
* Submit your posts to those campaigns.

It cannot connect an account. Use the ClipStake app or a shared connect link
for that.

## Keep the API key secret

* Store the API key on your server.
* Do not put the API key in a browser, a mobile app or a public repository.
* Create one API key for each tool. Then you can revoke one tool without
  stopping the others.

## Revoke an API key

In **Settings**, **Social**, **Creator API**, select **Revoke** on the key.
The key stops working at once. You cannot restore a revoked key.

If ClipStake turns the Creator API off for your account, every key stops
working until it is turned on again.

Requests with a revoked, missing or unknown key return `401 unauthorized`.


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