API Keys
RapidAPI keys authorize usage and should be handled as production secrets. Keep them server-side, separate environments where possible, rotate keys deliberately, and monitor unexpected usage.
Protect API keys
Keep keys server-side
Do not put RapidAPI keys in browser JavaScript, mobile apps, screenshots, client logs, public repositories, or frontend environment variables.
Use separate keys per environment
Separate development, staging, CI, and production usage when possible. This makes testing safer and unexpected usage easier to investigate.
Rotate keys deliberately
Rotate keys when team access changes, a key may have been exposed, or your deployment process changes. Deploy the new key before disabling the old one.
Implement secure key handling
Read keys from configuration
Load keys from environment variables, platform secrets, or a secret manager at runtime. Avoid hard-coded fallback keys, even for local development.
Never log credentials
Sanitize request headers before logging. Logs are often retained longer and seen by more people and tools than application code.
Watch for usage anomalies
A sudden usage increase can indicate a loop, leaked key, or unintended production job. Check RapidAPI usage when traffic patterns change.
Example
curl "https://YOUR-RAPIDAPI-HOST/path" \
-H "X-RapidAPI-Key: YOUR_RAPIDAPI_KEY" \
-H "X-RapidAPI-Host: YOUR-RAPIDAPI-HOST"