API Key
A unique string that authenticates your app when it calls an API, like a password that identifies who's making the request.
What is API Key?
An API key is a unique string of characters that authenticates your application when it makes requests to an API.
Think of it like a password that identifies your app to the service you're calling. The API provider generates it, you include it in your requests (usually in headers or query parameters), and the server checks it before sending back data.
Most builders use API keys to connect their apps to services like OpenAI, Stripe, or SendGrid. The key lets the provider track your usage, enforce rate limits, and bill you correctly.
Keep your keys secret. Store them in environment variables, never commit them to GitHub, and rotate them if they leak. Most services offer different keys for development and production.
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