> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.layerlens.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.layerlens.ai/11.-admin/rotate-api-key.md).

# Rotate API key

Guide — rotate a Stratix API key without downtime.

API keys rotate with a 24-hour grace period.

## Steps

1. **Settings → API keys → Rotate** on the key in question.
2. Stratix returns a new key value (one-time-display). Copy it.
3. Update the new value in your secret store / env vars / CI secrets.
4. Old key continues to work for 24 hours.
5. After rollout, the old key auto-expires. No action needed.

## When to rotate

* Compromise suspected
* Quarterly hygiene
* Departing team member had access
* Switching CI runners

## After rotation

* Verify the new key works in a non-production runner first
* Watch the audit log for unexpected usage on the old key during the grace period

## See also

* [API keys reference](https://github.com/LayerLens/gitbook-full/blob/main/13-reference/api/api-keys.md)
* [Authentication](https://github.com/LayerLens/gitbook-full/blob/main/13-reference/sdk-python/authentication.md)