# Authentication

VeendHQ Platform authenticates your API requests using an Access Token which can be generated from your dashboard.  All API calls must include the Access Token. API requests made without Access Token will fail with the status code `401: Unauthorized.`

{% hint style="info" %}

### Create an Account

To gain access to the VeendHQ Platform API, you need to [create an account for free](https://business.veendhq.com/signup)
{% endhint %}

## Get Your Access Token

Once you have completed the sign up process and the KYC requirements, we will provide a Access Token which is accessible via the VeendHQ dashboard - [Dashboard > Settings > Developers](https://business.veendhq.com/settings/developers). Follow the steps below to access them:

* Login to your [VeendHQ dashboard](https://business.veendhq.com/login)
* Navigate to Settings (on the sidebar)
* Developers

<figure><img src="https://1362728991-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1fjF0ubpftpupf31cFIe%2Fuploads%2FnWRGegGADtXCgbtXv8FV%2FScreenshot%20from%202023-02-02%2008-42-30.png?alt=media&#x26;token=74de1d18-573e-4359-bfe0-6bb3663b66cc" alt=""><figcaption><p>Developer Settings</p></figcaption></figure>

### Generate New Access Token

You can generate a new Access Token via the Dashboard UI or via an authenticated API Request.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Dashboard Settings" %}
You can also generate a new Access Token by clicking on the **`Generate New Token`** button on the dashboard -  [Dashboard > Settings > Developers](https://business.veendhq.com/settings/developers).&#x20;
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="API Request" %}

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Authenticate a request

You can authenticate your requests by including the Access Token in the **Authorization** header.

Authenticating a request should be in the following format:

```
Authorization: Bearer SECRET_KEY
x-tag: sandbox
```

{% hint style="info" %}
**x-tag** value should be either **test** or **live** depending on the environment you are making the API request.
{% endhint %}