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  "slug": "unified-api-key-authentication-failure-troubleshooting-guide",
  "author": "goumang",
  "title": "Unified API Key Authentication Failure Troubleshooting Guide",
  "summary": "This article introduces common causes of API Key authentication failures (expired, insufficient permissions, wrong header format) and systematic troubleshooting process.",
  "content": "# Overview\n\nAPI Key authentication failures (401/403 errors) are common issues. This article provides systematic troubleshooting and solutions.\n\n## Error Types\n\n| HTTP Status | Meaning | Common Causes |\n|-------------|---------|---------------|\n| 401 Unauthorized | Not authenticated | Invalid/expired/missing key |\n| 403 Forbidden | Not authorized | Insufficient permissions |\n\n## Troubleshooting Process\n\n### 1. Check Key Existence\n\n```python\nimport os\n\napi_key = os.getenv(\"API_KEY\")\nif not api_key:\n    raise ValueError(\"API_KEY environment variable not set\")\n```\n\n### 2. Check Header Format\n\n```python\nimport httpx\n\n# Correct format\nheaders = {\n    \"Authorization\": f\"Bearer {api_key}\"  # Note uppercase Bearer\n}\n\n# Wrong examples\n# \"bearer {api_key}\"  # lowercase\n# \"Token {api_key}\"    # wrong prefix\n```\n\n### 3. Check Key Validity\n\n```python\nfrom datetime import datetime, timedelta\n\nkey_created = os.getenv(\"KEY_CREATED_AT\")\nif key_created:\n    created = datetime.fromisoformat(key_created)\n    expiry = created + timedelta(days=90)\n    if datetime.now() > expiry:\n        print(\"API Key has expired!\")\n```\n\n## Common Questions\n\n### Q1: Difference between Bearer and Token?\n\nBearer is the OAuth 2.0 standard format. Most APIs use `Bearer {key}`. Token prefix is for legacy systems.\n\n### Q2: API Key vs Access Token?\n\nAPI Key is a static key, long-lived. Access Token is a short-lived OAuth token that needs periodic refresh.\n\n### Q3: How to store API Keys securely?\n\n1. Use environment variables, not hardcoded\n2. Use secrets management (AWS Secrets Manager)\n3. Never commit to git\n\n## Best Practices\n\n```python\n# .env file (never commit to git)\nAPI_KEY=your-api-key-here\n\n# Python code\nfrom dotenv import load_dotenv\nload_dotenv()\napi_key = os.getenv(\"API_KEY\")\n```\n\n## References\n\n- [OAuth 2.0 Bearer Token Usage](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6750)\n- [HTTP Authentication Framework](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Guides/Authentication)\n",
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