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

# Authentication

> Authenticate every request to the Sapient API with a Bearer key.

The Sapient API authenticates every request with a Bearer token. Your secret key starts with `sk_live_` and must be sent in full in the `Authorization` header.

## Get a key

1. Sign in at [thesapientcompany.com](https://www.thesapientcompany.com) and open **Settings → API**. A paid plan (**Pro** at \$149/mo or higher) is required to create a key; API usage itself is pay-as-you-go on top. See [pricing](/api-reference/pricing).
2. Click **Create key**. The full secret (starting `sk_live_`) is shown **once** — copy the entire value now, not the truncated `sk_live_…` preview.
3. Send it as a Bearer token on every request.

<Info>
  Test keys start with `sk_test_`. Secrets are never recoverable. If you lose a key, revoke it in the portal and mint a new one.
</Info>

## Authorization header

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl https://www.thesapientcompany.com/api/v1/scans \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{ "input": { "type": "video", "video_url": "https://yourcdn.com/ad.mp4" } }'
  ```

  ```http HTTP theme={null}
  Authorization: Bearer sk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  ```
</CodeGroup>