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

# Authentication

> Create an API key and authenticate your Finesse API requests.

The Finesse API authenticates with a **workspace API key**. Send it on every request in the
`X-API-Key` header:

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://fi.production.flamapis.com/flam-voice-svc/api/v1/public/voices" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $FLAM_API_KEY"
```

Keys are prefixed `flv_`. The server only stores a hash, so the **full key is shown once** - when you
create it.

## Create a key

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the dashboard">
    Sign in to the Finesse dashboard and go to **Settings → API keys**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a key">
    Create a new key and name it. The secret (`flv_…`) is displayed **once** - copy it now.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Store it safely">
    Keep it in a secret manager or an environment variable (`FLAM_API_KEY`). If you lose it, revoke it
    and create a new one.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Treat the key like a password - it can synthesize with **every voice in your workspace**. Never put it
  in client-side code or commit it to source control. If a key leaks, revoke it from the dashboard.
</Warning>

## What a key can access

A key is bound to **one workspace** and can:

* **List and read** the voices in that workspace.
* **Synthesize** speech with any `ready` voice in it ([speak](/voice-api/synthesize-speech),
  [stream](/voice-api/stream-speech), [WebSocket](/voice-api/realtime-websocket)).

It can't create or delete voices - that happens in the dashboard. Referencing a voice from another
workspace returns `404`.

## Authentication errors

| Status | Meaning |
| - | - |
| `401` | The `X-API-Key` header is missing, malformed, or the key is invalid/revoked. |
| `404` | The voice exists but belongs to another workspace. |

See [Errors & responses](/voice-api/errors) for the full list.


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