About setup-api-key
A setup skill that guides users through creating and validating a Vapi API key stored locally. It emphasizes keeping secrets out of chat and protecting local environment files.
Key features
- 01Guided API key creation
- 02Local environment variable setup
- 03Key validation without printing it
- 04.gitignore protection check
Use cases
- 01Configure Vapi access for other skills
- 02Check a locally stored API key
- 03Keep environment files out of version control
MCP support
The README mentions Vapi’s documentation MCP server as an additional resource for compatible AI agents.
Install
Copy the command and run it in a terminal.
npx skills add https:/ / github.com/ vapiai/ skills --skill setup-api-keyAfter installing, type/setup-api-keyin Claude Code to confirm it loaded.
Details
From the project READMEVapi API Key Setup
Guide the user through obtaining and configuring a Vapi API key for the voice AI platform.
Workflow
Step 1: Request the API key
Tell the user:
To set up Vapi, open the API keys page in the Vapi Dashboard: https://dashboard.vapi.ai/org/api-keys
(Need an account? Create one at https://dashboard.vapi.ai/signup first)
If you don't have an API key yet:
- Click "Create Key"
- Name your key (e.g., "development")
- Copy the key immediately — it is only shown once
Do not paste a private API key into this chat. Save it locally using the steps below, then tell me when the file is ready.
Then wait for the user to confirm that the local environment file is ready. Do not ask them to send or display the key.
Step 2: Validate and configure
Once the user confirms the key is stored locally:
-
Confirm the key is available without printing it. Prefer an existing environment variable. Otherwise, ask the user to save it as
VAPI_API_KEYin a local.env.localfile using their editor. Never display the file contents. -
Validate the key by making a request from the environment where it is loaded:
curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" https://api.vapi.ai/assistant \ -H "Authorization: Bearer $VAPI_API_KEY" -
If validation fails (non-200 response):
- Tell the user the API key appears to be invalid
- Ask them to double-check and try again
- Remind them of the URL: https://dashboard.vapi.ai/org/api-keys
-
If validation succeeds, confirm that the local environment file contains this variable without showing its value:
VAPI_API_KEY=<the-api-key> -
Confirm success:
Your Vapi API key is configured locally as
VAPI_API_KEY.You can now use Vapi's API to create assistants, make calls, and build voice AI agents.
Keep this key safe — do not commit it to version control.
Step 3: Verify .gitignore
Check whether .gitignore protects local environment files. If not, add:
.env*
!.env.example
Environment Variable
All Vapi skills expect the API key in the VAPI_API_KEY environment variable. The base URL for all API requests is:
https://api.vapi.ai
Authentication is via Bearer token:
Authorization: Bearer $VAPI_API_KEY
Additional Resources
Vapi provides a documentation MCP server that gives compatible AI agents access to the Vapi knowledge base. Use its documentation search for advanced configuration, troubleshooting, SDK details, and anything beyond this skill.
Manual setup: If your agent doesn't auto-detect the config, run:
claude mcp add vapi-docs -- npx -y mcp-remote https://docs.vapi.ai/_mcp/server
See the Vapi MCP integration guide for setup instructions across supported agents.