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

# API Key

> Generating and using an API key

An API Key is required to connect to the WebSocket for real-time updates and to register or cancel a heartbeat. Otherwise, you do NOT need an API Key to use the SX Bet API — all standard requests in this document can be made without one. A baseline rate limiter applies to all requests regardless of API key.

## Generating API Key

1. Visit sx.bet and register/login to your account. You can connect your MetaMask wallet, or login using your Fortmatic email address.
2. If using MetaMask, `sign` the Signature Request.
3. Click the `Account` tab on the top navigation bar.
4. Click the `Overview` tab on the account navigation bar.
5. You will see an `API Credentials` card. Click `GENERATE API KEY NOW`. An API Key will be displayed.
6. The API Key generated will not be displayed again, so please **copy and save this key for future use**.

<Note>
  If you lose your key, you can generate a new one by following the same steps. Any previous keys used will be unauthorized if you generate a new key.
</Note>

## Usage

```bash theme={null}
curl --location --request GET 'https://api.sx.bet/user/token' \
--header 'X-Api-Key: XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX'
```

Pass your API Key in the `X-Api-Key` header. The above fetches a realtime token used to authenticate WebSocket connections.

Once your API Key is generated (see above), you must add it as a HTTP Header with the name: `X-Api-Key`.