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

# Authentication

## API keys

InkLink uses **organization API keys**, all in the form **`secret_live_xxx`**.

## Using the key

From your **backend**, send the full key string on every request as the **`api-key`** HTTP header:

```http theme={"dark"}
api-key: secret_live_xxx
```

<Warning>
  **Never** expose API keys in browsers, client-side JavaScript, or mobile app bundles. InkLink requests must run only on your **backend**–route end-user traffic through your server so the key never ships to clients.
</Warning>

## Where to create keys

Create API keys in the InkLink dashboard on **`platform.inklink.com`**; in the sidebar, open **Manage** → **API Key**, then use **New API Key**.