---
title: "How to create and manage API keys | PickFu Help Center"
---

# When to use API keys

API keys let you authenticate with PickFu programmatically. Use them with the [MCP server](https://help.pickfu.com/en/articles/13841860-how-to-use-the-pickfu-mcp-integration-with-ai-assistants), [CLI](https://www.pickfu.com/docs/developers/cli), [REST API](https://www.pickfu.com/docs/api-reference), and custom automation scripts.

API keys are ideal when you need:

-   **Non-interactive authentication** — CI/CD pipelines, cron jobs, or server-side scripts that run without a browser
    
-   **Persistent access** — API keys don't expire like OAuth sessions, so they're reliable for long-running automations
    
-   **Simplicity** — pass a single token instead of going through the OAuth flow
    

If you're using PickFu interactively from an AI assistant like Claude Desktop or Cursor, the built-in OAuth flow may be more convenient — but API keys work there too.

# Creating an API key

1.  Log in to PickFu and go to [Settings > API Keys](https://app.pickfu.com/settings/api-keys)
    
2.  Click **Create API Key**
    
3.  Give the key a descriptive name (e.g., "CI pipeline" or "MCP server")
    
4.  Copy the key value immediately — it is only displayed once and cannot be retrieved later
    

# Keeping your keys secure

-   **Store keys securely.** Use environment variables or a secrets manager — never commit API keys to source control
    
-   **Create separate keys for different uses.** If one key is compromised, you can revoke it without affecting your other integrations
    
-   **Delete compromised keys immediately.** Go to [Settings > API Keys](https://app.pickfu.com/settings/api-keys) and delete the key, then create a replacement
    
-   **Review keys periodically.** Remove keys you no longer use
    

# Where to use API keys

Pass your API key as a Bearer token in the `Authorization` header:

Authorization: Bearer your-api-key-here

API keys work with all PickFu developer tools:

-   **MCP server** — add the key to your MCP client's headers configuration
    
-   **CLI** — pass the key during authentication setup
    
-   **REST API** — include the header in every API request
    

For detailed setup instructions for each tool, see the [authentication documentation](https://www.pickfu.com/docs/developers/authentication).

* * *

Related Articles

[

PickFu integrations

](https://help.pickfu.com/en/articles/4843532-pickfu-integrations)[

How to build PickFu surveys with URL parameters

](https://help.pickfu.com/en/articles/12149884-how-to-build-pickfu-surveys-with-url-parameters)[

How to use the PickFu MCP integration with AI assistants

](https://help.pickfu.com/en/articles/13841860-how-to-use-the-pickfu-mcp-integration-with-ai-assistants)