[Sign up](https://dashboard.shotstack.io/register) to the Shotstack service to generate API keys. Keys for both a 
staging sandbox and a live production environment are available in the dashboard.

Find your keys in the menu under your account name (top right hand corner):

![API keys menu link](../../static/img/keys-dropdown.png)

Click on the **API Keys** item in the menu to open the keys page:

![API keys dashboard page](../../static/img/api-keys-dashboard.png)

Keys are a random 40 character string that look something like:

```text
HBHjHylztJqjEeIFQxNJWB5g2mPa4lI40wX8oNVD
```

Staging sandbox and production URL's are:

| Sandbox URL                    | Production URL              |
| :------------------------------| :-------------------------- |
| https://api.shotstack.io/stage | https://api.shotstack.io/v1 |

:::tip

Use the sandbox environment for testing. Only AI assetes get charged. Videos are watermarked.

:::

:::caution

Using your production key will use up your credits and may result in being [charged](https://shotstack.io/pricing/).

:::