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

# API keys

> Learn how to authenticate API requests

The Vortex PDF API uses Bearer token authentication to secure API requests.

## Overview

API keys are used to authenticate requests to the Vortex PDF API. Each API key is associated with your account.

## Authentication headers

<ResponseField name="Authorization" type="string" required>
  The HTTP header used for authentication

  Format: `Bearer YOUR_API_KEY`
</ResponseField>

## Usage

Include your API key in the `Authorization` header of your HTTP requests:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://vortexpdf.com/api/v1/renderers/pdf \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "parts": "https://example.com"
  }'
```

## API key management

### Obtaining API keys

1. Log in to your [Vortex PDF Dashboard](https://vortexpdf.com/dashboard)
2. Navigate to the API Keys section
3. Create a new API key

### Security best practices

* **Keep keys secure**: Never expose your API keys in client-side code or public repositories
* **Use environment variables**: Store API keys in environment variables rather than hardcoding them
* **Rotate keys regularly**: Periodically generate new API keys and deprecate old ones