# Get an API key

API keys are used to authenticate your requests to the Instacart Developer Platform. This guide covers how to create, manage, and secure your API keys.

## Key permissions and scopes[​](#key-permissions-and-scopes "Direct link to Key permissions and scopes")

API keys can be configured with different permission levels:

* **Read-only**: Access to retrieve data but cannot create or modify resources.
* **Read-write**: Full access to create, read, update resources.
* **Admin**: Full access including sensitive operations (use sparingly).

## Create an API key[​](#create-an-api-key "Direct link to Create an API key")

Create the AP I key and then copy the key to a safe place. For security reasons, you won't be able to view the full key again once you navigate away from the creation page.

1. Log in to your [Instacart Developer Dashboard](http://dashboard.instacart.com/).
2. Navigate to the **API Keys** section.
3. Click **Create New API Key**.
4. Provide a descriptive name for your key, such "Development Environment".
5. Select whether this key is for Development or Production.
6. Click **Generate Key**.
7. **Important**. Copy your API key and save it in a safe place.

## Viewing your keys[​](#viewing-your-keys "Direct link to Viewing your keys")

In the Developer Dashboard, you can:

* View all your active API keys.
* See when each key was created and last used.
* Check the permissions associated with each key.
* Monitor usage statistics for each key.

## API key structure[​](#api-key-structure "Direct link to API key structure")

Instacart API keys follow this format:

```
keys.1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef
```

* `keys.` - Prefix identifying it as an Instacart key.
* `1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef` - Unique identifier.