API Key
Create and manage tenant-scoped API keys to authenticate backend calls to The Wallet Crew APIs.
API keys authenticate server-to-server calls to The Wallet Crew APIs. API keys are tenant-scoped. A key only works for a single tenant. Integrations spanning multiple tenants require one key per tenant.
API keys can also be scope-restricted. Least privilege reduces risk and limits blast radius.
Real-world examples
A Brand CRM job updates loyalty points nightly, then triggers pass updates.
An integration middleware issues new passes after an e-commerce checkout event.
A data pipeline fetches pass installation status and sends it to analytics.
Before you start
An admin account with access to Settings is required.
The intended usage and owning system are identified (service, job, connector).
The minimum required scopes are listed. Each API endpoint documents its required scopes, and the admin console lists the available scopes at key creation time.
Never ship an API key in a mobile app or in front-end JavaScript. Treat it like a password.
Create an API key
Open API Keys
Sign in to the admin console.
Go to Settings → Security → API Keys.
Use the key in API requests
Send the key in the X-API-KEY header.
Example header:
X-API-KEY: <your_api_key>
The full endpoint list and request/response formats are available in the API reference.
Validate access quickly
Authentication and authorization failures look similar, but mean different fixes. A quick validation flow helps isolate the issue early.
Run a low-impact GET request that matches the selected scopes. A 401 Unauthorized response typically indicates a missing, invalid, or revoked key. A 403 Forbidden response typically indicates a valid key with insufficient scopes.
Manage, rotate, revoke
Rotate keys regularly.
Create a new key.
Deploy it to your services.
Revoke the old key after a short overlap.
Revoke keys immediately if they leak.
Keep separate keys per environment and integration.
Troubleshooting
401 Unauthorized
Missing or invalid
X-API-KEYheader.Key was revoked.
403 Forbidden
Key is valid but missing required scope.
FAQ
Can one API key be used across multiple tenants?
No. API keys are tenant-scoped. Each tenant requires its own key, even when the same integration runs in multiple tenants.
Can an API key be retrieved later if it was not copied?
API keys are meant to be shown once at creation time. If the value is lost, the safest path is to revoke the old key and create a new one.
What is the best way to name API keys?
A name should identify the owning system and environment. Names like crm-sync-prod or data-export-staging make rotation and incident response much faster.
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