> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.netmap.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.netmap.dev/api/rotating-api-keys.md).

# Rotating API Keys

Rotating an API key means replacing it with a new key and revoking the old one. NetMap does not expose an in-place rotation endpoint, so rotation is a create, deploy, verify, revoke workflow.

## Before You Begin

Confirm:

* you can create a key as the automation user;
* you know where the old key is stored;
* you can update the automation secret safely;
* you can verify the automation after the change.

## Steps

1. Create a new key.
2. Store it in your automation secret store.
3. Deploy automation with the new secret.
4. Verify `GET /api/v1/auth/me` succeeds.
5. Revoke the old key.
6. Verify the old key returns `401`.

There is no in-place rotation endpoint.

## Verification Request

```bash
API_URL="https://netmap.example.com"
API_KEY="<new-api-key>"

curl --fail-with-body \
  --url "${API_URL}/api/v1/auth/me" \
  --header "X-API-Key: ${API_KEY}"
```

## After Revocation

Test the old key and confirm it fails:

```bash
API_URL="https://netmap.example.com"
OLD_API_KEY="<old-api-key>"

curl --fail-with-body \
  --url "${API_URL}/api/v1/auth/me" \
  --header "X-API-Key: ${OLD_API_KEY}"
```

Expected result: `401`.

## Related Pages

* [Generating API Keys](/api/generating-api-keys.md)
* [Revoking API Keys](/api/revoking-api-keys.md)
* [API-Key Security](/security/api-key-security.md)


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