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

# Managing API Keys

> Learn how to generate your nQivi API keys and connect the client application.

To use the nQivi Studio Desktop Client, you must authorize it by connecting a valid **nQivi Server Key** generated from your Web Portal dashboard.

***

## 🔑 How to Generate your API Key

Follow these steps to obtain and configure your API key:

1. Log in to your account at [studio.nqivi.com](https://studio.nqivi.com).
2. From the sidebar navigation, click on **Api Keys**.
3. Under the **API Keys** dashboard:
   * Click the **Create API Key** button.
   * Give the key a descriptive name (e.g. *Home-PC* or *Laptop*) to help you track its usage.
   * Click **Generate**.
4. The key will be generated and displayed. Copy the full key string immediately.

***

## 🔌 Linking the Key to the Desktop Client

Once you have copied the key:

1. Launch the **nQivi Studio Desktop Client** on your computer.
2. Navigate to the **Settings** tab.
3. Find the field labeled **SERVER\_API\_KEY**.
4. Paste your copied API Key string into the input field.
5. Click **Save** to write the key to the local database.

Upon successful activation, your current credits, bonus credits, and subscription level will sync and display at the top of the client application.

***

## 🔒 Security Best Practices

> \[!WARNING]
> Your nQivi API Key grants full access to your credit balance. Keep it secure and private.
>
> * **Never share** your key with others or upload it to public repositories (such as GitHub).
> * If you believe your key has been compromised, go to the **Api Keys** page on the Website dashboard, locate the compromised key, click **Delete**, and generate a new one immediately.