> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.creatordb.app/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Managing the API dashboard > How to manage API keys, track API usage and buy API credits in the CreatorDB API dashboard. You can use the **API dashboard** to create and manage CreatorDB API keys, track your API usage, check your remaining credits and buy more credits. Every CreatorDB API and MCP call spends credits. With fractional calls, a request can ask for only the fields it needs and pay only for those. For details, see [Fractional calls](/api-v3/fractional-calls.md). ## Opening the API dashboard Click **APIs** in the left sidebar. You can also click your profile image and then click **API dashboard**. The steps on this page start from the API dashboard and assume you're logged in. If you don't have an account yet, see [Create an account](/creatordb_app/getting_started/getting_started.md#create-an-account). ![API dashboard](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/overview.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=b66bb098a0dd5f802319b5c775977b8e) > [!NOTE] > > If you subscribed to the CreatorDB API before the V3 migration, you can switch between the **API v3 (Beta)** and **API v2** tabs. For details, see [Legacy V2 dashboard](#legacy-v2-dashboard). ## Getting started If you have no API keys and no credits, the API dashboard shows the steps to make your first API call: **Get credits**, **Create an API key** and **Make your first call**. You can buy credits with **Buy credits**, or compare plans that include monthly credits with **Compare plans**. For details on plans and monthly credits, see [Managing Subscription Plans](/creatordb_app/user_guide/subscription_plans.md#plans-and-monthly-credits). ![API dashboard getting started steps](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/getting_started.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=58a786f8fc5e32e36b762ea4a34f4125) ## Managing API keys The **API key** section lists your API keys and shows your remaining credits. You can view the following details for each key: | Label | Description | | - | - | | **Key name** | The name of the API key and its masked value. | | **Status** | Shows **Active**, **Inactive** or **Limit reached**. | | **Created** | The date the key was created. | | **Last used** | The date the key was last used. | | **Credits** | The credits the key used in the current month. | | **Usage limit** | The credits the key used out of its usage limit, in total. | > [!NOTE] > > Every account has a built-in default key named **Discover usage**. It powers your Discover usage in the CreatorDB platform, and you can't copy, limit, deactivate or delete it. ![API key list](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/api_key_list.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=b18ef34a376ed585eb54a4d28c12666a) ### Creating an API key > [!WARNING] > > You need a credit balance to create an API key. If you have no credits, a dialog asks you to buy credits or compare plans. For details, see [Buying API credits](#buying-api-credits). 1. [Open the API dashboard](#opening-the-api-dashboard). 2. Click **Create key**. \ The **Create API key** window appears. 3. Enter a **Key name**. \ The key name must be unique and can't be longer than 50 characters. 4. **Optional:** Click **Add credit usage limit**, and then enter a **Credit usage limit**. 5. Click **Create**. \ The **Save your API key** window appears. 6. Click **Copy**. 7. Click **Done**. > [!WARNING] > > The API key is shown only once and can't be recovered. Copy it and store it somewhere safe before you click **Done**. ![Create API key window](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/create_api_key.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=890a630af5b74f4dde054b5614e264be) ![Save your API key window](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/save_api_key.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=8fed46ac4e1b2353093cd5529a33d2ad) > [!NOTE] > > Key names can't be changed after creation. To use a different name, create a new key and delete the old one. To use your API key, include it in the `api-key` request header. For details, see [Authentication](/api-v3/authentication.md). ### Adding or resetting a usage limit A usage limit caps the total credits an API key can spend. When a key reaches its limit, its status changes to **Limit reached**, and the key can't be used until you reset or remove the limit. 1. [Open the API dashboard](#opening-the-api-dashboard). 2. Click the more icon next to the API key. \ A drop-down menu appears. 3. Click one of the following: * **Add usage limit**: Select a **Credit usage limit** or enter a **Custom** limit, and then click **Add**. Usage is tracked from the moment the limit is added. * **Reset usage limit**: Select a new **Credit usage limit**, or select **Remove usage limit**, and then click **Reset**. Resetting clears all current usage. ![API key drop-down menu](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/api_key_menu.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=b453eec75d8cb88aa9796453c9633aa5) ![Add usage limit window](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/add_usage_limit.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=f1e21fd28b87fc0d04d597cfbf7bfe55) ### Deactivating or reactivating an API key A deactivated key stops working immediately. Any requests using it fail until you reactivate it. 1. [Open the API dashboard](#opening-the-api-dashboard). 2. Click the more icon next to the API key. \ A drop-down menu appears. 3. Click **Deactivate key**. \ The **Deactivate API key** window appears. 4. Click **Deactivate**. To reactivate an inactive key, click the more icon next to the key, and then click **Reactivate**. ### Deleting an API key > [!WARNING] > > A deleted key is permanently deleted and stops working immediately. This action can't be undone. 1. [Open the API dashboard](#opening-the-api-dashboard). 2. Click the more icon next to the API key. \ A drop-down menu appears. 3. Click **Delete key**. \ The **Delete API key** window appears. 4. Click **Delete**. ## Viewing API usage The **API credit usage** section shows how you use the CreatorDB API. ![API credit usage section](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/credit_usage.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=9bc6f49face347ce838b08d688553e0f) | Label | Description | | - | - | | **By credits used** | Shows API usage by the number of credits used. | | **By requests made** | Shows API usage by the number of API requests made. | | **Last 7 days**, **Last 30 days**, **Last 90 days** | Select the period of API usage data to view. | | **API key** | Filter the usage data by one or more API keys. Click **Reset the filter** to show all keys. | | **Historical data** | A daily chart of the credits used or requests made. | | **Usage by method** | Lists each **Endpoint** you called, the **API credits used** or **# of requests**, and its share of **Total usage**. | ## Viewing remaining API credits The **Remaining API credit** section shows your two types of credits. To jump to this section from the **API key** section, click **See usage**. ![Remaining API credit section](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/remaining_credit.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=9d92944e80b629238615c3cbada8e9c9) | Label | Description | | - | - | | **Subscription credits** | The credits included in your CreatorDB plan. They renew monthly, and unused subscription credits don't roll over. Shows the credits remaining and the credits used out of your monthly total. Click **Upgrade your plan** to get more monthly credits. | | **Pre-purchased credits** | The credits you have bought on top of your plan. Pre-purchased credits are valid for 1 year from the purchase date. Click **Buy more** to buy more credits. | Subscription credits and pre-purchased credits combine into one pool. The Free plan includes no subscription credits. For details, see [Managing Subscription Plans](/creatordb_app/user_guide/subscription_plans.md#plans-and-monthly-credits). ## Buying API credits You can buy credits on any plan, without upgrading. The price per credit depends on your plan. 1. [Open the API dashboard](#opening-the-api-dashboard). 2. In the **Remaining API credit** section, click **Buy more**. \ The **Purchase V3 API credits** page appears. 3. Select a preset amount or enter the amount of credits you want to buy. \ The amount must be a multiple of 10. The minimum and maximum amount per purchase depend on your plan. 4. **Optional:** Click **Discount code**, enter your gift card or discount code, and then click **Apply**. 5. Click **Purchase**. \ The checkout page appears. 6. Enter your payment details and complete the payment. ![Purchase V3 API credits page](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/purchase_credits.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=38312bab01d3914c83ac13fdac68de75) > [!NOTE] > > * Pre-purchased credits are valid for 1 year. The page shows the date your credits are expected to expire. > * You can also open the **Purchase V3 API credits** page from the **Select your plan** page by clicking **Purchase credits**. > * If your plan doesn't support buying credits, the page asks you to contact sales. ## Estimating API costs You can use the **API Calculator** to estimate how many credits your API calls will cost, and compare legacy flat-rate pricing with fractional pricing. 1. [Open the API dashboard](#opening-the-api-dashboard). 2. In the **Estimate your API costs** section, click **Go to API calculator**. \ The **API Calculator** page appears. 3. Select the data you need in one of the following ways: * In **Describe what data you need**, describe the creator data you want in plain English, and then click **Find endpoints**. * In the platform sections, select the endpoints and fields you want. 4. In **Volume**, enter the number of calls per endpoint. \ The page shows the **Legacy** and **Fractional** cost for your scenario and how much you save. ![API Calculator](https://mintcdn.com/creatordb-589c46f5/YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm/creatordb_app/images/user_guide/api_dashboard/api_calculator.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=YEf4CmWIaS9OEtqm\&q=85\&s=e52b6518622c4b483dc2d51691e91193) For per-endpoint credit costs, see [API credit usage](/api-v3/api-credit-usage.md) and [Field and item costs](/api-v3/field-and-item-costs.md). ## Connecting CreatorDB to AI tools The API dashboard shows a banner for the CreatorDB MCP server, which lets AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor use the CreatorDB API. Click **Connect to Claude** to add CreatorDB from the Claude directory, or click **Other connections** to see other ways to connect. MCP calls also spend credits. For details, see [Setting up the CreatorDB MCP connector](/mcp-server/setting-up-the-creatordb-mcp-connector.md). The **Explore CreatorDB API Docs** section links to the **Quick start guide** and to guides for getting basic YouTube, Instagram and TikTok metrics. ## Legacy V2 dashboard If you subscribed to the CreatorDB API before the V3 migration, you can click **API v2** to view your V2 API usage and remaining V2 credits. Everyone else sees only the V3 dashboard described on this page. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.