API Keys

Phoenix offers three types of authentication credentials: System API Keys, User API Keys, and the Admin Secret

System API Keys

System keys authenticate actions on behalf of the entire system rather than a specific user. These keys:

• Can only be created by administrators

• Are not tied to the admin who created them

• Persist even if the creating admin is deleted

• Are recommended for automated/programmatic interactions with Phoenix that don't involve user actions (such as querying REST APIs)

User API Keys

User API keys authenticate actions on behalf of specific users. These keys:

• Are associated with and act on behalf of the user who created them

• Can be viewed and deleted by the user who owns them

• Are automatically deleted if the user account is deleted

• Are ideal for personal use cases (e.g., running experiments in a notebook)

Admin Secret

The Admin Secret is a special authentication token that:

• Can be used as an alternative to API keys

• Authenticates as the first system user

• Must meet these requirements:

  • At least 32 characters long

  • Includes at least one digit and one lowercase letter

  • Must differ from PHOENIX_SECRET

  • Cannot be set if PHOENIX_SECRET is not configured

This key is particularly useful for:

• Provisioning Phoenix via REST APIs

• Deploying Phoenix as a sidecar application

• Programmatically generating authentication to send traces, datasets, etc. without requiring login

This secret is set via the PHOENIX_ADMIN_SECRET environment variable.

Key Expiration

Both System and User API keys support expiration dates. Setting expirations can:

• Limit access to specific tasks or timeframes

• Support security through automated key rotation

• Reduce the risk of compromised credentials