# Create Your First API Key

To create your first API key, follow the steps below:

1. Go to <https://chat.arcee.ai/>
2. Login or Sign Up

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3. Select "Get API Key" from the Home Page

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4. Select "Create API Key"

<figure><img src="https://2302384909-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOUJInHjoAOfzq3bL12Af%2Fuploads%2F04WRCaO3QRLr8W3mZ7qk%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7413c434-9647-4db2-b844-9ea356dfdd69" alt="" width="330"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Provide an API Key Name, a Description, and optionally set an Expiration Date, Token Limit, and Request Limit
   1. While Expiration Date is optional, we highly recommend setting this to follow best security practice

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6. Save your API Key in a safe location, as you are unable to view the value after creation. If you misplace your API key, delete your key and create a new one.

<figure><img src="https://2302384909-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOUJInHjoAOfzq3bL12Af%2Fuploads%2FYi8LKdXcFhmaT3HVFb5J%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=20e0848a-2bd1-41f4-8925-3ef11c1b5cd4" alt="" width="363"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Now that you have your API Key, you can make [your first API call](https://docs.arcee.ai/~/revisions/UOfL3qIelQCFUdc2TpQu/api-reference/your-first-api-call)!