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

# invalid_api_key

> The request did not include a valid ECS API key

The API could not authenticate the request.

## Common causes

* The `Authorization` header is missing.
* The bearer token is malformed.
* The key was deactivated or deleted.
* The key expired.
* The request uses a dashboard credential instead of an ECS API key.

## Fix

Create or copy an ECS API key from **Dashboard → API Keys** and send it as:

```http theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
Authorization: Bearer ecs_<prefix>_<secret>
```