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

# Authentication

> How to authenticate with the Maverick Intelligence API

# Authentication

The API uses API keys for authentication. Include your key in the `X-API-Key` header on every request.

```bash theme={null}
curl -H "X-API-Key: mk_live_a1b2c3d4e5f6..." \
  https://api-v1.maverickintelligence.co/v1/people
```

## Getting an API key

1. Log in to your [Maverick Intelligence dashboard](https://app.maverickintelligence.co)
2. Open **Integrations** from the sidebar
3. Find the **Developer API** card and click **Manage Keys**
4. Click **Create API Key**
5. Copy the key immediately — it's only shown once

## Key format

API keys follow the format `mk_live_` followed by 40 random hex characters:

```
mk_live_a1b2c3d4e5f6a7b8c9d0e1f2a3b4c5d6e7f8a9b0
```

## Security best practices

* **Never expose keys in client-side code** — use your API key from a backend server only
* **Store keys securely** — use environment variables or a secrets manager
* **Rotate keys regularly** — you can have up to 5 active keys at a time
* **Revoke compromised keys immediately** — revocation is instant

## Key limits

* Maximum **5 active keys** per account
* Keys can be revoked instantly from the dashboard
* All keys share the same rate limit pool (1,000 requests/hour)

## Error responses

| Status | Code           | Description                           |
| ------ | -------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| 401    | `unauthorized` | Missing API key (header not provided) |
| 403    | `forbidden`    | Invalid or revoked API key            |