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

# Authentication

> Learn how to authenticate your API requests

## Obtaining Your API Key

To use the Tidyhire API, you need an API key. You can generate one from your [Tidyhire Dashboard](https://platform.tidyhire.app/app/settings#api-keys).

1. Navigate to **Settings** > **API Keys** in your Tidyhire Dashboard.
2. Click **+ Create API Key**.

<Frame caption="Dashboard > Settings > API Keys">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/tidyhireapp/rkRrU-JXtQtfsjVq/images/api-key.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=rkRrU-JXtQtfsjVq&q=85&s=993f982beffe00913aad1d410ea0a2bb" alt="Tidyhire API Keys Settings" width="1373" height="644" data-path="images/api-key.png" />
</Frame>

## Using Your API Key

Include your API key in the `x-tidyhire-api-key` header with every request.

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X GET https://api.tidyhire.app/api/public/v1/ \
    -H "x-tidyhire-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  fetch('https://api.tidyhire.app/api/public/v1/', {
    method: 'GET',
    headers: {
      'x-tidyhire-api-key': 'YOUR_API_KEY'
    }
  });
  ```

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

  response = requests.get(
      'https://api.tidyhire.app/api/public/v1/',
      headers={
          'x-tidyhire-api-key': 'YOUR_API_KEY'
      }
  )
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Security Best Practices

* **Never expose your API key** in client-side code or public repositories
* **Store your API key** in environment variables or a secrets manager
* **Rotate your API key** periodically from the Tidyhire Dashboard
* **Use separate keys** for development and production environments