# API Keys for Chat

## **Generating an API key from the Chat platform**

To authenticate requests to the Ebbot Chat API, you must generate an API key within the Ebbot Chat platform.

1. In the sidebar, go to **Settings** > **Integrations** > **API keys**.
2. Click the **New** button in the top-right corner.
3. Assign a **name** to the key and select an **expiration date.**
4. Click Save to create the key.

**Security & Storage** \
The full API key consists of a public key and a private key joined by a dot (e.g., `<public>.<secret>`). This full key will be displayed only once. Please save it securely immediately after generation.\
\
**Expiration & Lifecycle** \
The API key remains valid until the expiration date selected during creation. Once this date passes, the key will automatically stop functioning.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Creating keys without an expiration date is a security risk. If a permanent key is compromised, it allows unauthorized access indefinitely until manually revoked. We strongly recommend setting an expiration date to ensure regular key rotation.
{% endhint %}

## **Authentication**&#x20;

When making calls, include the full API key in the request header:

```http
x-api-key: <public-key>.<secret-key>
```


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