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

# Authentication

> How to authenticate with the Finseo API using API keys.

# Authentication

All API requests require a valid API key in the `Authorization` header.

## Getting your API key

1. Go to [Settings > API](https://app.finseo.ai/settings/api) in the Finseo dashboard
2. Click **Create API Key**
3. Choose a name, scopes, and optionally restrict to specific projects
4. Copy the key immediately - it will only be shown once

## Using your key

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={"system"}
  curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    https://api.finseo.ai/v1/projects
  ```

  ```python Python theme={"system"}
  import requests

  headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"}
  response = requests.get(
      "https://api.finseo.ai/v1/projects",
      headers=headers
  )
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js theme={"system"}
  const response = await fetch("https://api.finseo.ai/v1/projects", {
    headers: { Authorization: "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" },
  });
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Scopes

API keys can have one or more scopes:

| Scope    | Description                                                  |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `read`   | Read data (projects, prompts, metrics, competitors, sources) |
| `write`  | Modify data (create prompts, update tags, manage projects)   |
| `export` | Bulk export tracking data                                    |

## Project restrictions

Optionally restrict a key to specific projects. A key with no project restrictions can access all projects owned by your account.

## Key security

<Warning>
  Never expose API keys in client-side code or public repositories.
</Warning>

* Keys are hashed with SHA-256 before storage - we never store plaintext
* Rotate keys regularly and revoke compromised keys immediately
* Use test keys for development, live keys for production