> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.robincompute.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.robincompute.org/api-reference/authentication.md).

# Authentication

Every request carries a bearer token in the `Authorization` header. The token is an API key. Each key belongs to one Ethereum wallet and spends that wallet's credit balance.

***

## API keys

Generate keys from the Settings tab of the RobinCompute web app at `robincompute.org/app/settings`.

**Key format:** the prefix `rcompute_live_` followed by 32 alphanumeric characters.

Example: `rcompute_live_a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6`

**Key properties:**

* One key per wallet during beta. Multiple keys per wallet arrive in Phase 2.
* A key spends the credits of the wallet that issued it, the same balance you see in the web app.
* Revoke a key and issue a replacement from Settings whenever you like.
* The full key value appears exactly once, at creation. A lost key stays lost; generate a fresh one.

***

## Making authenticated requests

Send the key as a bearer token on every call:

```bash
curl https://api.robincompute.org/v1/models \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer rcompute_live_your_key_here"
```

```python
import httpx

headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer rcompute_live_your_key_here"}
response = httpx.get("https://api.robincompute.org/v1/models", headers=headers)
```

```typescript
const response = await fetch("https://api.robincompute.org/v1/models", {
    headers: { "Authorization": "Bearer rcompute_live_your_key_here" }
})
```

***

## Security

**Treat the key as a secret.** Keep it out of source control and out of anything shipped to the browser. Load it from the environment.

```bash
export ROBINCOMPUTE_API_KEY="rcompute_live_your_key_here"
```

```python
import os
api_key = os.environ["ROBINCOMPUTE_API_KEY"]
```

**Key scope:** A key can do exactly one thing: spend credits from its own wallet. It cannot withdraw credits, move $RCOMPUTE, or touch your account settings.

**Key revocation:** Suspect a leak? Revoke the key from Settings. Revocation is instant, and every request made afterward is rejected.

***

## Wallet-native authentication (coming in Phase 2)

Phase 2 adds a keyless option: sign each request directly with your Ethereum wallet via EIP-4361 (Sign-In with Ethereum). Nothing gets provisioned ahead of time, which suits automated setups where minting and distributing a long-lived key would be awkward.

***

## Authentication errors

| Status | Code                   | Meaning                                                    |
| ------ | ---------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| `401`  | `invalid_api_key`      | The key does not exist or was revoked                      |
| `401`  | `missing_api_key`      | The request arrived without an `Authorization` header      |
| `402`  | `insufficient_credits` | The wallet's balance cannot cover the requested model tier |
| `403`  | `key_suspended`        | The key was suspended after a policy violation             |

The complete error envelope lives in \[Errors]\(

).

***

## Checking your balance via the API

```bash
curl https://api.robincompute.org/v1/account \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer rcompute_live_your_key_here"
```

```json
{
  "wallet": "0x7f3ce8b1a94d20c5e6f18b7a2d40953c1e8ba672",
  "credits_remaining": 1420,
  "usdg_value": 14.20,
  "last_topup_at": "2026-06-15T09:43:00Z",
  "api_key_created_at": "2026-06-01T00:00:00Z"
}
```


---

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