Generate a random API key for a user to authenticate with

Hello there! In this article, we'll walk through the process of setting up API key authentication in Xano, a no-code platform that simplifies backend development. With API key authentication, you can ensure that only authorized users can access your application's sensitive data and functionality. Let's get started!

Step 1: Create an API Key Field in Your User Table

To begin, you'll need to create a field in your User table to store the API key. This field will hold a unique identifier for each user.

1. Navigate to your User table in the Xano workspace.
2. Click on the "Add Field" button and create a new field called "API Key" (or your preferred name).
3. Select the data type as "String" for this field.

Step 2: Generate API Keys for Users

Next, you'll need to generate a unique API key for each user during the sign-up process or at any other appropriate time. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open the endpoint responsible for user sign-up or creation.
2. In the function stack, create a new variable called "API Key" (or your preferred name).
3. To generate a unique value for the API Key, you can use the built-in `uuid` filter in Xano. Simply type `{{uuid()}}` in the variable value field.
4. Once you have the API Key variable, add it to the user record by mapping it to the "API Key" field you created earlier.

Step 3: Create an Authentication Endpoint

Now, you'll need to create a separate endpoint that users can call to authenticate themselves using their API keys. This endpoint will generate an authentication token that can be used for subsequent requests.

1. Create a new endpoint in your Xano workspace.
2. Add an input field called "API Key" (or your preferred name) where users will provide their API key.
3. In the function stack, look up the user record based on the "API Key" input field using the `where` condition.
4. Add preconditions to ensure the following:

• The input API key matches the API key stored in the user record.
• The user record exists (i.e., the lookup did not return `null`).

1. If the preconditions pass, generate an authentication token using the `createAuthToken` function in the Security section of the function stack. Pass the user ID as the argument to this function.
2. Return the generated authentication token as the response.

Step 4: Test and Use the API Key Authentication

To test the API key authentication, follow these steps:

1. Create a new user or use an existing user from your User table.
2. Copy the API key value from the user record.
3. Call the authentication endpoint you created, providing the API key as input.
4. If the API key is valid and matches the user record, you should receive an authentication token in the response.
5. Use this authentication token in subsequent requests that require authentication by including it in the `Authorization` header.

And that's it! You've successfully implemented API key authentication in your Xano application. With this setup, only authorized users with valid API keys can access your sensitive data and functionality.

Remember, Xano's visual interface and no-code approach make it easy to build and deploy backend services without writing code. Whether you're a no-code enthusiast, citizen developer, traditional developer, or part of a startup/small business, Xano can streamline your development process and help you achieve your goals more efficiently.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to the Xano community or consult the documentation. Happy coding (or no-coding)!