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

# Authentication

> Create and use a FreeModel API key.

FreeModel authenticates API requests with a secret API key.

## Create an API key

1. Sign in to the [FreeModel Console](https://freemodel.app/settings).
2. Open **API Keys**.
3. Create a new key and copy it when shown.

Use the key in the `Authorization` header.

```bash theme={null}
curl https://api.freemodel.app/v1/models \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk-xxxx"
```

## Protect your key

* Keep API keys on your server. Do not put them in browser code, mobile apps, public repositories, or client-side environment variables.
* Load keys from a secret manager or server-side environment variable.
* Use a different key for each environment when possible.
* If you expose a key, delete it in the Console and create a replacement immediately. Do not continue using the exposed key.

<Warning>
  An API key can consume your prepaid balance. Treat it like a password.
</Warning>