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

# How to Access Your API Key

> Learn how to access and manage your Shovels API key from your account dashboard for authenticating API requests.

Your API key is required to authenticate all requests to the Shovels API.

## Accessing Your API Key

1. [Log in to your Shovels account](https://app.shovels.ai/account?tab=apikey)
2. Open the **API key** tab
3. Your API key is displayed in the **API Key** field

## Using Your API Key

Include your API key in the header of every API request:

```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"css-variables","dark":"css-variables"}}
curl -X GET "https://api.shovels.ai/v2/meta/release" \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
```

## Free Plan API Access

New accounts start on the Free plan, with a monthly credit allowance to explore our capabilities before committing to a paid plan. See [shovels.ai/pricing](https://www.shovels.ai/pricing).

<Info>
  Every plan is credit-based: each record returned counts as one credit, on Free and paid plans alike.
</Info>

## Tracking Your Usage

You can view your API credit usage on the **Manage subscription** tab of your account or by calling the `GET /v2/usage` endpoint. Credits reset monthly on your subscription or upgrade date.

## Need More Credits?

If you hit your limit and need more credits:

* Contact [sales@shovels.ai](mailto:sales@shovels.ai)
* Call us at [1-800-511-7457](tel:+18005117457)

## Related Articles

* [How do API credits work?](/docs/knowledge-base/api/basics/request-counts)
* [API credit limits](/docs/knowledge-base/api/basics/credit-limits)
* [API documentation](https://docs.shovels.ai/docs/shovels-api-introduction)