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

# API Keys

> Authenticate to the Cerebras API with API keys.

API keys are static secrets you generate in the Cloud Console and include in every request for authentication.

## Create a Key

1. Open the [Cloud Console](https://cloud.cerebras.ai) and go to **API Keys** in the left nav.
2. On paid accounts, select a project first. The key inherits that project's rate limits and usage tracking.
3. Click **Generate API Key**, give it a descriptive name, and confirm.
4. The key is created and appears in the list. The list shows a truncated preview, but you can copy the full key at any time by clicking the copy icon next to it.

## Use the Key

Set the `CEREBRAS_API_KEY` environment variable, or pass the key in the `Authorization: Bearer <key>` header on direct HTTP requests. See the [Authentication guide](/api-reference/authentication) for SDK initialization and shell setup.

## Rotate or Delete a Key

API keys do not expire. Store them in a secrets manager and rotate them periodically.

To rotate a key, create a new one, update your application to use it, then delete the old one. To delete a key, click the delete icon next to it on the **API Keys** page. Deletion is immediate and permanent — any application still using the key will receive `401 Unauthorized` errors.