## Overview

API keys are essential for authenticating requests to the Perplexity API. This guide covers how to create, manage, and rotate your API keys using our authentication token management endpoints.

:::callout{intent="warning"}
**API keys are shown only once.** When you create an API key — through the console or programmatically — the full token is returned at that moment and **cannot be retrieved again**. Save it immediately to a secure location before closing the page or response.
:::

:::callout{intent="info"}
API keys should be treated as sensitive credentials. Store them securely and never expose them in client-side code or public repositories.
:::

## Getting Started: Create Your Project First

:::callout{intent="warning"}
**Important Prerequisites**: Before you can generate any API keys, you must first create a project through the Perplexity web interface.
:::

:::::steps
::::step{title="Create a Project"}
Navigate to the Projects page and create your first project:

**[Open Project Settings →](https://console.perplexity.ai/project/settings)**

Projects help organize your keys and manage access across different teams or environments.

:::callout{intent="tip"}
Choose a descriptive name for your project (e.g., "Production" or "Development") to help with organization.
:::
::::

:::step{title="Generate Your API Keys"}
Once you have a project, navigate to the API Keys page to generate your first key:

**[Generate API Keys →](https://console.perplexity.ai/project/keys)**

You can create multiple keys within each project for different purposes or environments. The full key value is displayed once at creation — copy it before leaving the page.
:::
:::::

:::callout{intent="note"}
After creating your first API key through the web interface, you can use the programmatic endpoints below to generate and manage additional keys.
:::

## Key Management Endpoints

Perplexity provides two endpoints for managing API keys programmatically:

- **`/generate_auth_token`** - Creates a new API key
- **`/revoke_auth_token`** - Revokes an existing API key

:::callout{intent="warning"}
Once an API key is revoked, it cannot be recovered. Make sure to update your applications with new keys before revoking old ones.
:::

## Generating API Keys

Create new API keys programmatically. Always provide a descriptive `token_name` — once a key is created, this name is the primary way to identify it later, since the full token value is no longer visible.

### Request

:::code-group
```bash cURL theme={null}
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.perplexity.ai/generate_auth_token \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_EXISTING_API_KEY" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data '{
    "token_name": "Production API Key"
  }'
```

```python Python theme={null}
import requests

url = "https://api.perplexity.ai/generate_auth_token"
headers = {
    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_EXISTING_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}
payload = {
    "token_name": "Production API Key"  # Optional
}

response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
data = response.json()
print(f"New API Key: {data['auth_token']}")
print(f"Created at: {data['created_at_epoch_seconds']}")
```

```typescript Typescript theme={null}
const response = await fetch("https://api.perplexity.ai/generate_auth_token", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_EXISTING_API_KEY",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    token_name: "Production API Key"  // Optional
  })
});

const data = await response.json();
console.log(`New API Key: ${data.auth_token}`);
console.log(`Created at: ${data.created_at_epoch_seconds}`);
```
:::

### Response

```json theme={null}
{
  "auth_token": "pplx-1234567890abcdef",
  "created_at_epoch_seconds": 1735689600,
  "token_name": "Production API Key"
}
```

:::callout{intent="warning"}
Store the `auth_token` immediately and securely. This is the **only** time the full token value is returned — it cannot be retrieved later from any endpoint or from the console.
:::

## Revoking API Keys

Revoke API keys that are no longer needed or may have been compromised.

### Request

:::code-group
```bash cURL theme={null}
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.perplexity.ai/revoke_auth_token \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $PERPLEXITY_API_KEY" \
  --header "Content-Type: application/json" \
  --data '{
    "auth_token": "pplx-1234567890abcdef"
  }'
```

```python Python theme={null}
import os
import requests

url = "https://api.perplexity.ai/revoke_auth_token"
headers = {
    "Authorization": f"Bearer {os.environ.get('PERPLEXITY_API_KEY')}",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}
payload = {
    "auth_token": "pplx-1234567890abcdef"
}

response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
if response.status_code == 200:
    print("API key successfully revoked")
```

```typescript Typescript theme={null}
const response = await fetch("https://api.perplexity.ai/revoke_auth_token", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${process.env.PERPLEXITY_API_KEY}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
  },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    auth_token: "pplx-1234567890abcdef"
  })
});

if (response.status === 200) {
  console.log("API key successfully revoked");
}
```
:::

### Response

Returns a `200 OK` status code on successful revocation.

## API Key Rotation

Regular key rotation is a security best practice that minimizes the impact of potential key compromises. Here's how to implement zero-downtime key rotation:

### Rotation Strategy

::::steps
:::step{title="Generate New Key"}
Create a new API key while your current key is still active:

```python theme={null}
# Generate new key
new_key_response = requests.post(
    "https://api.perplexity.ai/generate_auth_token",
    headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {current_key}"},
    json={"token_name": f"Rotated Key - {datetime.now().isoformat()}"}
)
new_key = new_key_response.json()["auth_token"]
```
:::

:::step{title="Update Applications"}
Deploy the new key to your applications:

```python theme={null}
# Update environment variables or secrets management
os.environ["PERPLEXITY_API_KEY"] = new_key

# Verify new key works
test_response = requests.post(
    "https://api.perplexity.ai/v1/agent",
    headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {new_key}"},
    json={
        "preset": "low",
        "input": "Test"
    }
)
assert test_response.status_code == 200
```
:::

:::step{title="Monitor Transition"}
Ensure all services are using the new key before proceeding:

```python theme={null}
# Monitor your application logs to confirm
# all instances are using the new key
time.sleep(300)  # Wait for propagation
```
:::

:::step{title="Revoke Old Key"}
Once confirmed, revoke the old key:

```python theme={null}
# Revoke old key
revoke_response = requests.post(
    "https://api.perplexity.ai/revoke_auth_token",
    headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {new_key}"},
    json={"auth_token": current_key}
)
assert revoke_response.status_code == 200
print("Key rotation completed successfully")
```
:::
::::

### Automated Rotation Example

Here's a complete example of an automated key rotation script:

:::code-group
```python Python theme={null}
import requests
import os
import time
from datetime import datetime
import logging

logging.basicConfig(level=logging.INFO)
logger = logging.getLogger(__name__)

class PerplexityKeyRotator:
    def __init__(self, current_key):
        self.base_url = "https://api.perplexity.ai"
        self.current_key = current_key

    def generate_new_key(self, name=None):
        """Generate a new API key"""
        url = f"{self.base_url}/generate_auth_token"
        headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {self.current_key}"}
        payload = {}
        if name:
            payload["token_name"] = name

        response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
        response.raise_for_status()
        return response.json()

    def test_key(self, key):
        """Test if a key is valid"""
        url = f"{self.base_url}/v1/agent"
        headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {key}"}
        payload = {
            "preset": "low",
            "input": "Test",
            "max_output_tokens": 1
        }

        try:
            response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
            return response.status_code == 200
        except:
            return False

    def revoke_key(self, key_to_revoke):
        """Revoke an API key"""
        url = f"{self.base_url}/revoke_auth_token"
        headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {self.current_key}"}
        payload = {"auth_token": key_to_revoke}

        response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=payload)
        return response.status_code == 200

    def rotate_key(self, update_callback=None):
        """Perform complete key rotation"""
        logger.info("Starting key rotation...")

        # Step 1: Generate new key
        new_key_data = self.generate_new_key(
            name=f"Rotated-{datetime.now().strftime('%Y%m%d-%H%M%S')}"
        )
        new_key = new_key_data["auth_token"]
        logger.info(f"New key generated: {new_key[:10]}...")

        # Step 2: Test new key
        if not self.test_key(new_key):
            raise Exception("New key validation failed")
        logger.info("New key validated successfully")

        # Step 3: Update application (callback)
        if update_callback:
            update_callback(new_key)
            logger.info("Application updated with new key")

        # Step 4: Wait for propagation
        logger.info("Waiting for propagation...")
        time.sleep(30)

        # Step 5: Revoke old key
        old_key = self.current_key
        self.current_key = new_key  # Use new key for revocation

        if self.revoke_key(old_key):
            logger.info("Old key revoked successfully")
        else:
            logger.warning("Failed to revoke old key")

        logger.info("Key rotation completed")
        return new_key

# Usage example
def update_environment(new_key):
    """Update your environment with the new key"""
    os.environ["PERPLEXITY_API_KEY"] = new_key
    # Update your secrets management system here
    # update_aws_secrets_manager(new_key)
    # update_kubernetes_secret(new_key)

# Perform rotation
rotator = PerplexityKeyRotator(os.environ["PERPLEXITY_API_KEY"])
new_key = rotator.rotate_key(update_callback=update_environment)
print(f"Rotation complete. New key: {new_key[:10]}...")
```

```typescript Typescript theme={null}
import fetch from 'node-fetch';

class PerplexityKeyRotator {
  private baseUrl = 'https://api.perplexity.ai';
  private currentKey: string;

  constructor(currentKey: string) {
    this.currentKey = currentKey;
  }

  async generateNewKey(name?: string): Promise<{
    auth_token: string;
    created_at_epoch_seconds: number;
    token_name?: string;
  }> {
    const response = await fetch(`${this.baseUrl}/generate_auth_token`, {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Authorization': `Bearer ${this.currentKey}`,
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
      },
      body: JSON.stringify(name ? { token_name: name } : {})
    });

    if (!response.ok) {
      throw new Error(`Failed to generate key: ${response.statusText}`);
    }

    return response.json();
  }

  async testKey(key: string): Promise<boolean> {
    try {
      const response = await fetch(`${this.baseUrl}/v1/agent`, {
        method: 'POST',
        headers: {
          'Authorization': `Bearer ${key}`,
          'Content-Type': 'application/json'
        },
        body: JSON.stringify({
          preset: 'low',
          input: 'Test',
          max_output_tokens: 1
        })
      });

      return response.ok;
    } catch {
      return false;
    }
  }

  async revokeKey(keyToRevoke: string): Promise<boolean> {
    const response = await fetch(`${this.baseUrl}/revoke_auth_token`, {
      method: 'POST',
      headers: {
        'Authorization': `Bearer ${this.currentKey}`,
        'Content-Type': 'application/json'
      },
      body: JSON.stringify({ auth_token: keyToRevoke })
    });

    return response.ok;
  }

  async rotateKey(updateCallback?: (newKey: string) => Promise<void>): Promise<string> {
    console.log('Starting key rotation...');

    // Step 1: Generate new key
    const timestamp = new Date().toISOString().replace(/[:.]/g, '-');
    const newKeyData = await this.generateNewKey(`Rotated-${timestamp}`);
    const newKey = newKeyData.auth_token;
    console.log(`New key generated: ${newKey.substring(0, 10)}...`);

    // Step 2: Test new key
    if (!(await this.testKey(newKey))) {
      throw new Error('New key validation failed');
    }
    console.log('New key validated successfully');

    // Step 3: Update application
    if (updateCallback) {
      await updateCallback(newKey);
      console.log('Application updated with new key');
    }

    // Step 4: Wait for propagation
    console.log('Waiting for propagation...');
    await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 30000));

    // Step 5: Revoke old key
    const oldKey = this.currentKey;
    this.currentKey = newKey;

    if (await this.revokeKey(oldKey)) {
      console.log('Old key revoked successfully');
    } else {
      console.warn('Failed to revoke old key');
    }

    console.log('Key rotation completed');
    return newKey;
  }
}

// Usage example
async function updateEnvironment(newKey: string): Promise<void> {
  process.env.PERPLEXITY_API_KEY = newKey;
  // Update your secrets management system here
  // await updateAwsSecretsManager(newKey);
  // await updateKubernetesSecret(newKey);
}

// Perform rotation
const rotator = new PerplexityKeyRotator(process.env.PERPLEXITY_API_KEY!);
const newKey = await rotator.rotateKey(updateEnvironment);
console.log(`Rotation complete. New key: ${newKey.substring(0, 10)}...`);
```
:::

## Best Practices

::::card-grid
:::card{title="Use Environment Variables"}
Never hardcode API keys in your source code. Store them in environment variables or secure secret management systems.

**Good**: `os.environ["PERPLEXITY_API_KEY"]`

**Bad**: `api_key = "pplx-1234567890abcdef"`
:::

:::card{title="Implement Key Rotation"}
Rotate your API keys regularly (e.g., every 90 days) to minimize the impact of potential compromises.

Set up automated rotation scripts to ensure zero downtime during the rotation process.
:::

:::card{title="Use Descriptive Names"}
Always set `token_name` when generating a key. After creation, the name is the primary way to identify a key, since the full token value is no longer visible.

Examples: "Production-Main", "Development-Testing", "CI/CD-Pipeline"
:::

:::card{title="Monitor Key Usage"}
Track which keys are being used in your applications and revoke unused keys promptly.

Maintain an inventory of active keys and their purposes.
:::
::::

## Security Considerations

:::callout{intent="warning"}
**Never expose API keys in:**

- Client-side JavaScript code
- Mobile applications
- Public repositories
- Log files or error messages
- URLs or query parameters
:::

### If a Key is Compromised

1. **Immediately generate a new key** using `/generate_auth_token`
2. **Update all applications** to use the new key
3. **Revoke the compromised key** using `/revoke_auth_token`
4. **Review access logs** to identify any unauthorized usage
5. **Implement additional security measures** such as IP allowlisting if available

## Troubleshooting

| Issue                                  | Solution                                                         |
| -------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Authentication failed" after rotation | Ensure the new key has propagated to all service instances       |
| Cannot revoke a key                    | Verify you're using a valid API key with appropriate permissions |
| Key generation fails                   | Check your account status and API tier limits                    |
| Services still using old key           | Implement proper secret rotation in your deployment pipeline     |

:::callout{intent="info"}
For additional support with API key management, visit the [API Keys page](https://console.perplexity.ai/project/keys) in the API Console or contact our support team.
:::

## Related pages

- [Admin & Management](./admin-management-index.md)
- [Agent API](./agent-api-2-index.md)
- [Agent API](./agent-api-index.md)
- [Analytics API](./analytics-api-index.md)
- [Authentication](./authentication-index.md)
- [Changelog](../changelog.md)
- [Cookbook](./cookbook-2-index.md)
- [Embeddings API](./embeddings-api-2-index.md)
- [Embeddings API](./embeddings-api-index.md)
- [Getting Started](./getting-started-index.md)

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