# Authentication

API key authentication for Chipp API



<Callout type="info">
  API access requires a Pro plan or higher. Free accounts cannot access the API. <a href="https://app.chipp.ai/plans" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" className="text-blue-600 hover:text-blue-800 underline">Upgrade to Pro</a>
</Callout>

## Getting Your API Key

1. Log into [app.chipp.ai](https://app.chipp.ai)
2. Navigate to your application
3. Click **Share** in the sidebar
4. Find the "Share via API" section
5. Click the eye icon to reveal your API key
6. Copy your API key

**Tip**: The Share tab includes a ready-to-use curl example with your app's model name. Click the copy button to get a working request with your API key included.

## Using Your API Key

Include your API key in the Authorization header:

```bash
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
```

### Example

```bash
curl https://app.chipp.ai/api/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "myapp-123",
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
  }'
```

## Required Headers

| Header | Value |
|--------|-------|
| `Authorization` | `Bearer YOUR_API_KEY` |
| `Content-Type` | `application/json` |

## Error Responses

### Authentication Errors (401)

```json
{
  "error": "Missing API key"
}
```
No Authorization header provided.

```json
{
  "error": "Invalid API key"
}
```
The API key is incorrect or doesn't match the application.

```json
{
  "error": "This API is only available on a paid plan.  Visit your dashboard to upgrade."
}
```
Free accounts cannot access the API. Requires Pro plan or higher.