> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.skillsdb.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# invalid-credential

> 401 — the API key is missing, wrong, expired or revoked

<Info>
  **Quick Summary:** The request did not carry a usable API key. The response is deliberately generic — it never says whether a key exists, expired, or was revoked.
</Info>

## What happened

Authentication failed. Every `/api/v1` request must carry `Authorization: Bearer sdb_live_...` with a live key.

## Likely causes

* The `Authorization` header is missing, or not in `Bearer <key>` form.
* The key was revoked, or its rotation grace window has ended.
* The key has passed its expiry date.
* A different kind of token (a session token, a JWT) was sent — the public API accepts **only** API keys.
* The acting person bound to the key was deactivated or moved companies.

## What to do

Verify the header format first. If it is correct, ask a company administrator to check the key under **Settings → API Credentials** — and to rotate or issue a new key if needed. Keys are shown once at creation; a lost key cannot be recovered, only replaced.