How to Get Your Poe API Key

Create and manage your Poe API key for use with AppToPub.

Create a Poe API key from your Poe account settings so you can use it with AppToPub.

Overview

A Poe API key is the credential that authenticates your app's requests to Poe's AI models. Inside Poe, Canvas apps use Poe's built-in authentication automatically; once exported and hosted as a standalone web app, the app needs your own API key to keep talking to models like GPT-4, Claude, and Gemini.

AppToPub encrypts your key with AES-256 before storing it and decrypts it server-side only to proxy requests — the raw key is never exposed in the app's client-side code. Key limits such as rate limits, model access, and compute cost depend on your Poe subscription tier, so monitor usage in Poe's dashboard and in AppToPub's analytics.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Log in to Poe — Go to poe.com and sign in with your Poe account.
  2. Open account settings — Click your profile icon in the top-right corner and select Settings.
  3. Navigate to API Keys — Open poe.com/api_key directly, or find the API Keys / Developer section in the settings sidebar.
  4. Generate a new key — Click Create API Key. Poe generates a unique alphanumeric key string.
  5. Copy and store the key securely — Copy the key immediately — Poe may only show it once. Store it in a password manager. Do not commit it to source code.

Troubleshooting

I don't see an API Keys section in my settings

API key access may require a Poe subscription or developer-account enrollment. Check Poe's documentation for the current eligibility requirements.

My key isn't working after pasting it into AppToPub

Make sure you copied the entire key string with no leading or trailing spaces, and verify the key hasn't been revoked in your Poe settings.

Should I rotate my key periodically?

Yes — it's good security practice. After rotating in Poe, update each deployed app with the new key from the Projects dashboard.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the same key for multiple apps?

Yes. A single Poe API key works across all your AppToPub deployments; they share the same rate limits and usage quota tied to that key.

Where is my key stored?

Encrypted with AES-256 in the database and never saved in plaintext. It is decrypted on the fly server-side to proxy requests and is never sent to a visitor's browser.

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