> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vidjutsu.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get your API key

> Subscribe, pay, and start using VidJutsu in under 2 minutes

## 1. Subscribe

VidJutsu requires a **\$99/month subscription** for API access. Per-endpoint daily rate limits apply — see [Pricing & Rate Limits](/credits-and-billing). You can subscribe via the CLI or API.

Install the CLI:

```bash theme={null}
curl -fsSL https://vidjutsu.ai/install.sh | bash
```

Then subscribe with your email:

```bash theme={null}
vidjutsu subscribe --email <your_email>
```

This opens a Stripe checkout in your browser. After you pay, the CLI automatically saves your credentials:

```
Checkout: https://checkout.stripe.com/...

Complete payment in your browser.
Waiting for payment... ✓

Credentials saved to ~/.vidjutsu/config.json
```

That's it. Your API key is saved and ready to use.

## 2. Verify

Confirm your credentials are working:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="CLI">
    ```bash theme={null}
    vidjutsu usage
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="API">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl https://api.vidjutsu.ai/v1/usage \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer vj_live_..."
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

```json theme={null}
{
  "clientId": "mc_...",
  "usage": {
    "watch": { "limit": 50, "remaining": 50 }
  },
  "resetsAt": "2026-04-24T00:00:00.000Z"
}
```

## 3. Store your key safely

Your API key lives in `~/.vidjutsu/config.json`. For scripts and CI, use an environment variable:

```bash theme={null}
export VIDJUTSU_API_KEY=vj_live_...
```

Never commit your key to git. Add it to `.env` files that are in `.gitignore`.

To export a credentials file (like AWS):

```bash theme={null}
vidjutsu auth --export
# Writes ~/.vidjutsu/credentials.json
```

## Lost your key?

Recover via email verification:

```bash theme={null}
vidjutsu auth --recover <your_email>
# Check your email for a 6-digit code
```

```bash theme={null}
vidjutsu auth --verify --email <your_email> --code 847291
# Credentials saved to ~/.vidjutsu/config.json
```

Or rotate your key if it was compromised:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.vidjutsu.ai/v1/api_keys/rotate \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer vj_live_..."
```

## Next step

<Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
  Make your first API call.
</Card>