Get your Ody API key
You create API keys in Settings → Developer API: name the key, pick its scopes, choose Live or Test, click Create key, and copy the secret from the one-time banner.
Before you start
- You must be a workspace admin or owner to create or revoke keys.
- Keys act as the member who created them — they can never do more than that person can in the app.
Step-by-step
Click Settings in the sidebar, then Developer API. (On your phone: More → Settings → Developer API.)
In the create form, enter a key name — for example "Zapier" or "Production server" — so you can tell keys apart later.
Choose the key's scopes using the chips below the name field. All ten are pre-selected, which makes a full-access key; deselect chips to narrow it. The available scopes are Read contacts, Manage contacts, Read conversations, Update conversations, Send messages, Read numbers, Manage webhooks, Buy numbers & 10DLC, Place AI calls, and Manage AI agent.
Under Key type, pick Live or Test. Live keys start with
ody_live_and do everything for real. Test keys start withody_test_and read real data, but message sends are recorded as simulated and never transmitted — perfect for building and CI. See Build safely with test mode.Click Create key.
Copy the key from the green banner — "Copy your new key now — you won't see it again." Ody stores only a hash, so the plaintext is shown exactly once.
Store the key like a password — in a secrets manager or environment variable, never in client-side code or a shared doc.
Managing existing keys
Below the create form, each key is listed with its name, a masked hint (ody_live_…WXYZ or ody_test_…WXYZ), a Test badge for test keys, its scopes as chips ("Full access" when unrestricted), and when it was last used. Click Revoke to disable a key immediately — revoked keys stop authenticating right away and can't be restored.
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Frequently asked questions
I lost my API key — can I see it again?
No. The full key is shown exactly once, at creation. Revoke the lost key and create a new one.
What's the difference between a Live and a Test key?
Live keys (ody_live_…) send real texts. Test keys (ody_test_…) behave identically but message sends are simulated — recorded in the thread, never transmitted.
Who can create API keys?
Workspace admins and owners. Keys act with the permissions of the member who created them.
Which plans include the API?
All of them — the API and MCP are included starting on the Starter plan.