Canonical URL: https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/api/authentication

# API Authentication

Authenticate with the Spark! API

Last updated: 2026-01-19

The Spark! API uses API keys for authentication. Include your API key in the Authorization header of every request.

## Getting Your API Key

1.  Navigate to Settings → API → API Keys
2.  Click "Create API Key"
3.  Name your key (e.g., "Production", "Staging")
4.  Set permissions (read-only or read-write)
5.  Copy and securely store the key

##### Keep Keys Secret

API keys provide full access to your Spark! data. Never expose them in client-side code, public repositories, or logs.

## Using Your API Key

Include the API key in the Authorization header:

`Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY`

## Rate Limits

API requests are rate limited:

*   **Standard** — 100 requests per minute
*   **Bulk operations** — 10 requests per minute
*   **Webhooks** — Unlimited (outbound)

Rate limit headers are included in every response:

*   `X-RateLimit-Limit` — Maximum requests allowed
*   `X-RateLimit-Remaining` — Requests remaining
*   `X-RateLimit-Reset` — Unix timestamp when limit resets

## Error Handling

API errors return standard HTTP status codes:

*   **400** — Bad request (invalid parameters)
*   **401** — Unauthorized (invalid or missing API key)
*   **403** — Forbidden (insufficient permissions)
*   **404** — Not found
*   **429** — Too many requests (rate limited)
*   **500** — Server error

## Environments

*   **Production** — `https://api.chargezen.com/spark/v1`
*   **Sandbox** — `https://sandbox.chargezen.com/spark/v1`

##### Sandbox Testing

Use the sandbox environment for testing. It mirrors production but doesn't affect real data or trigger real payments.

## Next Steps

[

### REST Endpoints

Full endpoint reference

Learn more



](https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/api/endpoints)[

### Webhooks

Event notifications

Learn more



](https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/api/webhooks)

### Related Articles

[

#### REST Endpoints

API endpoint reference



](https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/api/endpoints)[

#### Webhooks

Event notifications



](https://chargezen.com/docs/spark/api/webhooks)

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