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

# Authentication

> Authenticate with a Bearer API key and scope retries with stable idempotency keys.

# Authentication

The API uses Bearer authentication with a Youka API key. Create one at [online.youka.io/account](https://online.youka.io/account) under **API keys**.

## Send the API key

```http theme={null}
Authorization: Bearer yk_...
```

## Recommended client setup

* Store the API key outside your source tree.
* Inject it at runtime through environment variables or a secrets manager.
* Send the header on every request, including polling requests.

## Example

```bash theme={null}
curl https://api.youka.io/api/v1/projects/proj_123 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer yk_..."
```

## Related docs

* [Node.js SDK quickstart](/en/sdk)
* [Raw HTTP quickstart](/en/api/quickstart)
* [Idempotency](/en/api/idempotency)
* [Errors and retries](/en/api/errors)