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

# How to Access Your API Key

> Learn how to access and manage your Shovels API key from your account dashboard for authenticating API requests.

export const ArcadeDemo = ({id, title, aspect}) => <div style={{
  position: "relative",
  paddingBottom: `calc(${aspect}% + 41px)`,
  height: 0,
  width: "100%"
}}>
    <iframe src={`https://demo.arcade.software/${id}?embed&embed_mobile=tab&embed_desktop=inline&show_copy_link=true`} title={title} frameBorder="0" loading="lazy" allow="clipboard-write; autoplay" allowFullScreen style={{
  position: "absolute",
  top: 0,
  left: 0,
  width: "100%",
  height: "100%",
  colorScheme: "light"
}} />
  </div>;

Your API key is required to authenticate all requests to the Shovels API.

## Accessing Your API Key

1. [Log in to your Shovels account](https://app.shovels.ai/account?tab=apikey)
2. Open the **API key** tab
3. Your API key is displayed in the **API Key** field

<ArcadeDemo id="7xdM2DdtLkcPKwChwLXc" title="Access Your API Key for Integration" aspect={58.7629} />

## Using Your API Key

Include your API key in the header of every API request:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"css-variables","dark":"css-variables"}}
curl -X GET "https://api.shovels.ai/v2/meta/release" \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
```

## Free Plan API Access

New accounts start on the Free plan, with a monthly credit allowance to explore our capabilities before committing to a paid plan. See [shovels.ai/pricing](https://www.shovels.ai/pricing).

<Info>
  Every plan is credit-based: each record returned counts as one credit, on Free and paid plans alike.
</Info>

## Tracking Your Usage

You can view your API credit usage on the **Manage subscription** tab of your account or by calling the `GET /v2/usage` endpoint. Credits reset monthly on your subscription or upgrade date.

## Need More Credits?

If you hit your limit and need more credits:

* Contact [sales@shovels.ai](mailto:sales@shovels.ai)
* Call us at [1-800-511-7457](tel:+18005117457)

## Related Articles

* [How do API credits work?](/docs/knowledge-base/api/basics/request-counts)
* [API credit limits](/docs/knowledge-base/api/basics/credit-limits)
* [API documentation](https://docs.shovels.ai/docs/shovels-api-introduction)


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