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

# Introduction to API Keys

> Manage provider credentials, project keys, and cloud provider connections

## Overview

Bud AI Foundry API Keys provides a centralized credential management experience inside Bud Admin. The module combines:

* **Provider credentials** for model providers
* **Project API keys** for scoped access control, expiry, and budget governance
* **Cloud provider connections** (dev mode) for infrastructure credentials

```mermaid theme={null}
graph TD
    A[API Keys Module] --> B[Provider Credentials]
    A --> C[Project Keys]
    A --> D[Cloud Providers]
    B --> E[Deployments using credential]
    C --> F[Project-scoped usage + budget]
    D --> G[Connected cloud accounts]
```

## Key Capabilities

**Unified tabs**
Use the **Provider**, **Projects**, and (in dev mode) **Cloud Providers** tabs from one page.

**Secure secret handling**
Sensitive fields are masked by default and can be explicitly revealed and copied in credential drawers.

**Lifecycle management**
Create, edit, and delete keys through guided drawer workflows with confirmation prompts.

**Search, filter, and sort**
Find credentials quickly by using search and filters, then sort by name, usage, dates, and budgets.

## Module Layout

| Area                | Purpose                            | Typical actions                                          |
| ------------------- | ---------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Provider**        | Store provider API credentials     | Add credentials, inspect deployments, delete credentials |
| **Projects**        | Create project-scoped keys         | Create key, set expiry and max budget, edit/delete key   |
| **Cloud Providers** | Connect infra provider credentials | Connect provider and save credential profile             |

## When to Use API Keys

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Provider Credentials" icon="key">
    Add provider keys used by deployments, benchmarking, and model flows.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Project Governance" icon="folder-tree">
    Create project-level keys with expiry and budget constraints.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Operational Security" icon="shield-halved">
    Reduce accidental leakage with masked values and explicit reveal/copy actions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cloud Connections" icon="cloud">
    Store cloud provider access for infrastructure workflows.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Getting Started

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Quick Start" icon="play" href="/api-keys/quickstart">
    Create your first provider credential and project key.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Key Concepts" icon="book" href="/api-keys/api-key-concepts">
    Understand key types, visibility, and governance controls.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Step-by-Step Tutorial" icon="graduation-cap" href="/api-keys/creating-first-api-key">
    Build a complete key-management workflow.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>