claude-task-master/apps/docs/getting-started/api-keys.mdx

# API Keys Configuration

Task Master supports multiple AI providers through environment variables. This page lists all available API keys and their configuration requirements.

## Required API Keys

> **Note**: At least one required API key must be configured for Task Master to function.
>
> "Required: Yes" below means "required to use that specific provider," not "required globally." You only need at least one provider configured.

### ANTHROPIC_API_KEY (Recommended)
- **Provider**: Anthropic Claude models
- **Format**: `sk-ant-api03-...`
- **Required**: ✅ **Yes**
- **Models**: Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Claude 3 Haiku, Claude 3 Opus
- **Get Key**: [Anthropic Console](https://console.anthropic.com/)

```bash
ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="sk-ant-api03-your-key-here"
```

### PERPLEXITY_API_KEY (Highly Recommended for Research)
- **Provider**: Perplexity AI (Research features)
- **Format**: `pplx-...`
- **Required**: ✅ **Yes**
- **Purpose**: Enables research-backed task expansions and updates
- **Models**: Perplexity Sonar models
- **Get Key**: [Perplexity API](https://www.perplexity.ai/settings/api)

```bash
PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="pplx-your-key-here"
```

### OPENAI_API_KEY
- **Provider**: OpenAI GPT models
- **Format**: `sk-proj-...` or `sk-...`
- **Required**: ✅ **Yes**
- **Models**: GPT-4, GPT-4 Turbo, GPT-3.5 Turbo, O1 models
- **Get Key**: [OpenAI Platform](https://platform.openai.com/api-keys)

```bash
OPENAI_API_KEY="sk-proj-your-key-here"
```

### GOOGLE_API_KEY
- **Provider**: Google Gemini models
- **Format**: Various formats
- **Required**: ✅ **Yes**
- **Models**: Gemini Pro, Gemini Flash, Gemini Ultra
- **Get Key**: [Google AI Studio](https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey)
- **Alternative**: Use `GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS` for service account (Google Vertex)

```bash
GOOGLE_API_KEY="your-google-api-key-here"
```

### GROQ_API_KEY
- **Provider**: Groq (High-performance inference)
- **Required**: ✅ **Yes**
- **Models**: Llama models, Mixtral models (via Groq)
- **Get Key**: [Groq Console](https://console.groq.com/keys)

```bash
GROQ_API_KEY="your-groq-key-here"
```

### OPENROUTER_API_KEY
- **Provider**: OpenRouter (Multiple model access)
- **Required**: ✅ **Yes**
- **Models**: Access to various models through single API
- **Get Key**: [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai/keys)

```bash
OPENROUTER_API_KEY="your-openrouter-key-here"
```

### AZURE_OPENAI_API_KEY
- **Provider**: Azure OpenAI Service
- **Required**: ✅ **Yes**
- **Requirements**: Also requires `AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT` configuration
- **Models**: GPT models via Azure
- **Get Key**: [Azure Portal](https://portal.azure.com/)

```bash
AZURE_OPENAI_API_KEY="your-azure-key-here"
```

### XAI_API_KEY
- **Provider**: xAI (Grok) models
- **Required**: ✅ **Yes**
- **Models**: Grok models
- **Get Key**: [xAI Console](https://console.x.ai/)

```bash
XAI_API_KEY="your-xai-key-here"
```

## Optional API Keys

> **Note**: These API keys are optional - providers will work without them or use alternative authentication methods.

### AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID (Bedrock)
- **Provider**: AWS Bedrock
- **Required**: ❌ **No** (uses AWS credential chain)
- **Models**: Claude models via AWS Bedrock
- **Authentication**: Uses AWS credential chain (profiles, IAM roles, etc.)
- **Get Key**: [AWS Console](https://console.aws.amazon.com/iam/)

```bash
# Optional - AWS credential chain is preferred
AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID="your-aws-access-key"
AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY="your-aws-secret-key"
```

### CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY
- **Provider**: Claude Code CLI
- **Required**: ❌ **No** (uses OAuth tokens)
- **Purpose**: Integration with local Claude Code CLI
- **Authentication**: Uses OAuth tokens, no API key needed

```bash
# Not typically needed
CLAUDE_CODE_API_KEY="not-usually-required"
```

### GEMINI_API_KEY
- **Provider**: Gemini CLI
- **Required**: ❌ **No** (uses OAuth authentication)
- **Purpose**: Integration with Gemini CLI
- **Authentication**: Primarily uses OAuth via CLI, API key is optional

```bash
# Optional - OAuth via CLI is preferred
GEMINI_API_KEY="your-gemini-key-here"
```

### GROK_CLI_API_KEY
- **Provider**: Grok CLI
- **Required**: ❌ **No** (can use CLI config)
- **Purpose**: Integration with Grok CLI
- **Authentication**: Can use Grok CLI's own config file

```bash
# Optional - CLI config is preferred
GROK_CLI_API_KEY="your-grok-cli-key"
```

### OLLAMA_API_KEY
- **Provider**: Ollama (Local/Remote)
- **Required**: ❌ **No** (local installation doesn't need key)
- **Purpose**: For remote Ollama servers that require authentication
- **Requirements**: Only needed for remote servers with authentication
- **Note**: Not needed for local Ollama installations

```bash
# Only needed for remote Ollama servers
OLLAMA_API_KEY="your-ollama-api-key-here"
```

### GITHUB_API_KEY
- **Provider**: GitHub (Import/Export features)
- **Format**: `ghp_...` or `github_pat_...`
- **Required**: ❌ **No** (for GitHub features only)
- **Purpose**: GitHub import/export features
- **Get Key**: [GitHub Settings](https://github.com/settings/tokens)

```bash
GITHUB_API_KEY="ghp-your-github-key-here"
```

## Configuration Methods

### Method 1: Environment File (.env)
Create a `.env` file in your project root:

```bash
# Copy from .env.example
cp .env.example .env

# Edit with your keys
vim .env
```

### Method 2: System Environment Variables
```bash
export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY="your-key-here"
export PERPLEXITY_API_KEY="your-key-here"
# ... other keys
```

### Method 3: MCP Server Configuration
For Claude Code integration, configure keys in `.mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "task-master-ai": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "task-master-ai"],
      "env": {
        "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY": "your-key-here",
        "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your-key-here",
        "OPENAI_API_KEY": "your-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Key Requirements

### Minimum Requirements
- **At least one** AI provider key is required
- **ANTHROPIC_API_KEY** is recommended as the primary provider
- **PERPLEXITY_API_KEY** is highly recommended for research features

### Provider-Specific Requirements
- **Azure OpenAI**: Requires both `AZURE_OPENAI_API_KEY` and `AZURE_OPENAI_ENDPOINT` configuration
- **Google Vertex**: Requires `VERTEX_PROJECT_ID` and `VERTEX_LOCATION` environment variables
- **AWS Bedrock**: Uses AWS credential chain (profiles, IAM roles, etc.) instead of API keys
- **Ollama**: Only needs API key for remote servers with authentication
- **CLI Providers**: Gemini CLI, Grok CLI, and Claude Code use OAuth/CLI config instead of API keys

## Model Configuration

After setting up API keys, configure which models to use:

```bash
# Interactive model setup
task-master models --setup

# Set specific models
task-master models --set-main claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022
task-master models --set-research perplexity-llama-3.1-sonar-large-128k-online
task-master models --set-fallback gpt-4o-mini
```

## Security Best Practices

1. **Never commit API keys** to version control
2. **Use .env files** and add them to `.gitignore`
3. **Rotate keys regularly** especially if compromised
4. **Use minimal permissions** for service accounts
5. **Monitor usage** to detect unauthorized access

## Troubleshooting

### Key Validation
```bash
# Check if keys are properly configured
task-master models

# Test specific provider
task-master add-task --prompt="test task" --model=claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022
```

### Common Issues
- **Invalid key format**: Check the expected format for each provider
- **Insufficient permissions**: Ensure keys have necessary API access
- **Rate limits**: Some providers have usage limits
- **Regional restrictions**: Some models may not be available in all regions

### Getting Help
If you encounter issues with API key configuration:
- Check the [FAQ](/getting-started/faq) for common solutions
- Join our [Discord community](https://discord.gg/fWJkU7rf) for support
- Report issues on [GitHub](https://github.com/eyaltoledano/claude-task-master/issues)