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

# Authentication

> Learn how to authenticate with the Cronhost API using API keys

# Authentication

The Cronhost API uses API key authentication. All requests must include a valid API key in the request headers.

## API Key Header

Include your API key in the `x-api-key` header:

```http theme={null}
x-api-key: your-api-key-here
```

## Getting Your API Key

1. Log in to your [Cronhost dashboard](https://cronho.st/dashboard)
2. Navigate to [Settings](https://cronho.st/settings)
3. Create a new API key or copy an existing one

## Example Request

```bash theme={null}
curl -X GET "https://cronho.st/api/v1/schedules" \
  -H "x-api-key: your-api-key-here" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json"
```

## Security Best Practices

* **Never expose API keys** in client-side code, public repositories, or logs
* **Use environment variables** to store API keys in your applications
* **Rotate keys regularly** for enhanced security
* **Use different keys** for different environments (development, staging, production)
* **Revoke unused keys** from your dashboard

## Error Responses

### Missing API Key

```json theme={null}
{
  "error": {
    "message": "API key is required",
    "code": "MISSING_API_KEY"
  }
}
```

**Status Code:** `401 Unauthorized`

### Invalid API Key

```json theme={null}
{
  "error": {
    "message": "Invalid API key",
    "code": "INVALID_API_KEY"
  }
}
```

**Status Code:** `401 Unauthorized`

### Expired API Key

```json theme={null}
{
  "error": {
    "message": "API key has expired",
    "code": "EXPIRED_API_KEY"
  }
}
```

**Status Code:** `401 Unauthorized`

## Environment Variables

Store your API key securely using environment variables:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash .env theme={null}
  CRONHOST_API_KEY=your-api-key-here
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js theme={null}
  const cronhost = new Cronhost({
    apiKey: process.env.CRONHOST_API_KEY
  });
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import os
  api_key = os.environ.get('CRONHOST_API_KEY')
  ```
</CodeGroup>