What is an API key?
An API key is a secret token — usually a long random string — that a client sends with every API request to prove who it is. The server checks the key against a list of known accounts and decides whether to allow the request, what rate limit to enforce, and which scopes are permitted.
Why it matters
- Simpler than OAuth for server-to-server integrations
- Lets you revoke a single integration's access without rotating user passwords
- Per-key rate limits and audit logs make it possible to debug "who hit the API at 3 a.m."
Best practices in 2026
- Never commit keys to git. Use a secret manager (Vercel/AWS/Doppler) or environment variables
- Scope keys narrowly — read-only key for dashboards, write key only for the system that needs it
- Rotate on a schedule and immediately if a key leaks
- Watch for prefixed keys in CI logs — most platforms now scan public repos and auto-revoke leaked keys, but don't rely on that
How TexAu helps
Generate per-workspace API keys with scoped permissions to drive workflows from your own backend or AI agents. Keys are revocable from the dashboard and every call is logged for audit.
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