# Get an API key

There are currently three ways to obtain an API key to use the Verida APIs:

1. Generate your own key with the Verida Vault
2. Generate your own key with the Developer console
3. Request a key from a user of your application

{% hint style="info" %}
Note: To generate your own key, you will need to first [create a self-custody Verida Account](/getting-started/developer-console.md#creating-your-verida-account).
{% endhint %}

## Generate your own key with the Verida Vault

You can generate your own private API key from the [Verida Vault](/resources/verida-vault.md) (<https://app.verida.ai/>), in the `Authorized Apps` menu item.

<figure><img src="/files/Di4ei9shFyfdF8MTvyhg" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click "Authorized Apps" to generate a personal API token.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Generate your own key with the Developer Console

You can generate your own private API key from the [Developer Console](/getting-started/developer-console.md) (<https://admin.verida.ai/>), in the `Generate Token` menu item.

<figure><img src="/files/4oEGHzw260RbnV97uzmH" alt=""><figcaption><p>Click "Generate Token" to request a token from the Verida Vault with your Verida account.</p></figcaption></figure>

## Request a key from a user of your application

If you are building an application, you can request a key directly from the user by embedding a `Connect Verida` button into your application with pre-configured scopes to request from a user.

See the [Developer Console](/getting-started/developer-console.md) and [Authentication](/getting-started/authentication.md) sections of the documentation to learn more.


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