API keys
Create per-project keys with read or read-write scope to power the article API and MCP clients.
What API keys unlock
Every project can mint its own API keys under Settings > API keys & MCP. A key authenticates two things:
- the article API, for pulling published articles into your site
- the MCP server, for connecting AI tools like Claude, Cursor, or ChatGPT to your project data
Keys are per project. A key for one project cannot read another, which keeps brands and clients cleanly separated; see projects and companies.
Creating a key
- Open the project's Settings > API keys & MCP.
- Choose Create key, give it a name that says where it will live, like "Claude Desktop on my laptop" or "Website article pull".
- Pick a scope: Read only or Read and write.
- Copy the key immediately. Keys start with
recitedai_(older keys start withrcd_and still work) and are shown once; only a hash is stored, so a lost key cannot be recovered, only replaced.
Scopes
| Scope | Can do |
|---|---|
| Read only | Query every report and pull published articles |
| Read and write | Everything read can, plus actions that change project data, such as adding prompts or starting article drafts through MCP |
Default to read only. Grant read and write only to clients where you actually want an AI tool taking actions in your project. The MCP server exposes its action tools to every key but refuses to run them for a read-only one, so the scope is enforced server-side, not by the client's good behavior.
Handling keys safely
- Store keys in environment variables or a secrets manager, never in code or a browser bundle.
- One key per destination. When a laptop is lost or a vendor rotates out, you revoke one key without breaking anything else.
- Name keys after their destination so the list stays auditable.
- Rotate by creating a new key, moving the destination over, and deleting the old one.
Usage and limits
MCP tool calls made with a key count against the project's shared daily allowance for agent and MCP requests, alongside a 30 requests per minute cap. Article API pulls with the same key are not counted today. Details and per-plan numbers are in rate limits.
Also on that settings page
The same page hosts the MCP setup card with copy-ready configuration for each supported client, wired to your actual key. If you are here to connect an AI tool, continue with the MCP server.