rancher-docs/content/rancher/v2.x/en/tasks/user-settings/api-keys/_index.md

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Creating an API Key	3726

Create a Rancher API key so that other applications can make requests to the Rancher API. You can create API keys using the Rancher UI.

1. From any Rancher view, select User Avatar > API & Keys from the menu on the upper-right.

2. Click Add Key.

3. Optional: Enter a description for the API key and select an expiration period. We recommend setting an expiration date.

   The API key won't be valid after expiration. Shorter expiration periods are more secure.

4. Click Create.

   Step Result: Your API Key is created. Your API Endpoint, Access Key, Secret Key, and Bearer Token are displayed. The Bearer Token is your Access Key and Secret Key concatenated together.

   Use the Bearer Token to authenticate with Rancher CLI.

5. Copy the information displayed to a secure location. This information is only displayed once, so if you lose your key, you'll have to make a new one.

Deleting API Keys

You should delete API keys:

• That may have been compromised.
• That have expired.

To delete an API, select the stale key and click Delete.