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

# api_key_required

> Valid API key required

|                    |                    |
| ------------------ | ------------------ |
| **HTTP status**    | `401 Unauthorized` |
| **Error code**     | `api_key_required` |
| **Resolve action** | `create_api_key`   |

## What happened

The request did not include a valid API key. Content API endpoints (podcasts, entities, etc.) require an API key passed via `X-API-Key` HTTP header, the `Authorization: Bearer` HTTP header, or the `api-key` query parameter.

## How to fix

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a project">
    ```bash theme={"dark"}
    curl -X POST https://api.particle.pro/v1/organizations/{orgId}/projects \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_JWT_TOKEN" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"name": "My Project"}'
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate an API key">
    ```bash theme={"dark"}
    curl -X POST https://api.particle.pro/v1/projects/{projectId}/api-keys \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_JWT_TOKEN" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"name": "Production"}'
    ```

    The full key is returned **only in this response** — store it securely.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the API key">
    ```bash theme={"dark"}
    curl https://api.particle.pro/v1/podcasts \
      -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>