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

# Create API key

> POST /v1/keys

Creates a new API key for your account. Returns both `key_id` and `key_secret` — save the secret immediately, it cannot be retrieved later.

<Note>
  This endpoint is the only one that doesn't require authentication, because you might be calling it during signup. In practice most developers create keys via the dashboard.
</Note>

## Request

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.nixflex.com/v1/keys \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Fahim Mirza",
    "email": "fahim@example.com"
  }'
```

## Body parameters

| Field   | Type   | Required | Notes                              |
| ------- | ------ | -------- | ---------------------------------- |
| `name`  | string | No       | Account holder name                |
| `email` | string | No       | Account email for billing / alerts |

## Response

`201 Created`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "message": "API key created. Save your key_secret — it will not be shown again.",
  "key_id": "nxf_a1b2c3d4e5f6a7b8c9d0e1f2a3b4c5d6",
  "key_secret": "nxfs_x1y2z3..."
}
```

## Important

<Warning>
  `key_secret` is shown **once**. If you lose it, you must create a new key.

  * Store it in a secrets manager immediately
  * Never commit it to source control
  * Never include it in client-side JavaScript
</Warning>

## Rate limit

This endpoint is rate-limited to 10 requests per hour per IP to prevent abuse.

## Using the key

Format the Authorization header for subsequent requests:

```
Authorization: Bearer nxf_a1b2c3...:nxfs_x1y2z3...
```

See [Authentication](/authentication) for details.