# Authentication The Vesicash API supports basic authentication using the access Keys (public and private keys) which is accessible via the Vesicash dashboard. Public keys are fielded from any front-end integration like the Vesicash app. By design, public keys cannot modify any part of you or your customer account details besides initiating transactions and making payments. The private keys however, are to be kept secret. If for any reason you believe your private key has been compromised or you wish to reset them, you can do so from the dashboard. ### Usage Authenticate your API calls by including your private key in the header of each request you make. ``` --header 'accept: application/json' \ --header 'V-PRIVATE-KEY: v_EnterThePrivateKeyThatWasGeneratedHere' --header 'V-PUBLIC-KEY: v_EnterThePublicKeyThatWasGeneratedHere' ``` > While carrying out api test, we will provide you **test keys** for test transactions. However, after testing, you must switch to the **Live keys** in production whilst deploying. API requests made without authentication will fail with the status code `401: Unauthorized` --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.vesicash.com/api-documentation/api-authentication.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.