# Get your API key

All requests to the Ojin API require authentication using API keys. This guide explains how to create, manage, and securely use API keys in your applications.

## Creating an API Key

1. **Sign in** to your [Ojin Dashboard](https://ojin.ai)
2. Navigate to the **API Keys** section
3. Click **Create API Key**
4. Enter a descriptive name for your key (e.g., "Development", "Production")
5. Click **Create**
6. **Important**: Copy and store your API key securely. It will only be shown once.

{% hint style="warning" %}
API keys provide full access to your Ojin resources. Never expose them in client-side code, public repositories, or share them with unauthorized individuals.
{% endhint %}

## API Key Best Practices

* **Separate keys** for development and production environments
* **Use environment variables** to store API keys without exposing them publicly
* **Restrict permissions** to only what's needed for each key
* **Rotate keys** periodically for enhanced security
* **Revoke compromised keys** immediately in your dashboard
* **Use secret management services** in production environments
* **Monitor usage** to detect unusual patterns that might indicate a leak


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.ojin.ai/getting-started/authentication.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.