Authentication
Learn how to authenticate your API requests with CHeKT Public API
Authentication
The CHeKT Public API uses Bearer Token authentication to secure all API requests. You must include a valid API Key in the Authorization header of every request.
Pre-Requisites
Before you can use the CHeKT Public API, you need to ensure that:
API Key Required
An API Key must be enabled for your dealer account. You can manage your API Keys through the CHeKT Dealer Portal.
Accessing API Keys
To access and manage your API Keys:
- Log in to your CHeKT Dealer Portal
- Click on the Settings gear icon (⚙️)
- Navigate to API Keys under Developer Settings
- You will need "Developer Tools" permissions to access this section
Permissions Required
Your account must have "Developer Tools" permissions to view and manage API Keys. Contact your account administrator if you don't have access.
Generating an API Key
When you generate a new API Key:
- Click "Generate New API Key" in the API Keys section
- Save the key immediately in a safe and secure place
- The key will only be shown once and cannot be retrieved later
Important Security Note
- Store your API Key securely - treat it like a password
- Never commit API Keys to version control
- Never share your API Key in public forums or repositories
Managing API Keys
Lost or Compromised Keys
If you lose your API Key or believe it has been compromised:
- Generate a new API Key in the Developer Settings
- Update your applications with the new key
- Disable the old API Key to prevent unauthorized access
Key Rotation
You can generate a new API Key at any time and disable the old one without losing access to your account.
API Usage
Base URL
All API requests should be directed to:
https://api.chekt.com
Authentication Header
Include your API Key in the Authorization header using the Bearer Token scheme:
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
Example Request
Here's an example of an authenticated API request:
curl -X GET https://api.chekt.com/v1/sites \
-H "Authorization: Bearer your_api_key_here" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json"
Authentication Errors
If authentication fails, you'll receive one of the following error responses:
401 Unauthorized
{
"error": "Unauthorized",
"message": "Invalid or missing API Key"
}
403 Forbidden
{
"error": "Forbidden",
"message": "API Key does not have permission to access this resource"
}
Best Practices
Rate Limiting
All API requests are subject to rate limiting to ensure system stability:
- Rate Limit: 1000 requests per hour per API Key
- Rate limit information is included in response headers:
X-RateLimit-Limit: Maximum requests per hourX-RateLimit-Remaining: Remaining requests in current windowX-RateLimit-Reset: Time when the rate limit resets (Unix timestamp)
Rate Limit Exceeded
If you exceed the rate limit, you'll receive a 429 Too Many Requests response. Wait until the rate limit resets before making additional requests.
Next Steps
Now that you understand authentication, explore the available API endpoints: