> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tensor9.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get a Tensor9 API key

> Sign up with Google, download your production API key and export it for the tensor9 CLI.

Your Tensor9 API key authenticates your vendor account. Keep it private and do not share your account with another organization.

## Create your account and download your API key

1. Open [sandbox.tensor9.com](https://sandbox.tensor9.com/), sign in with Google and choose **Get API key**.
2. Select **Copy API key**, or **Download API key** to save it as a private text file.

## Install the tensor9 CLI

Follow [Install tensor9 CLI](https://docs.tensor9.com/byoc/cli/install.md). If you installed it earlier, [update it](https://docs.tensor9.com/byoc/cli/install.md#updating) first.

## Export your API key

```bash theme={null}
export T9_API_KEY=<your API key>
```

Then [set up your control plane](https://docs.tensor9.com/byoc/fundamentals/install.md) in the same terminal.

> **Troubleshooting**
>
> * **Keep your key out of shell history:** run `read -rs T9_API_KEY && export T9_API_KEY` instead, then paste the key and press Enter.
> * **Get API key is unavailable:** confirm that you signed in with Google on [sandbox.tensor9.com](https://sandbox.tensor9.com/), then try again.
> * **Authentication fails:** export the key again, copying all of it. Downloading it again does not renew an expired key.
> * **The CLI refuses to combine a key with a profile:** run `unset T9_PROFILE T9_CONFIG`, then retry.
> * **Alpha preview environment:** sign up at [sandbox.alpha.tensor9.com](https://sandbox.alpha.tensor9.com/) and add `-stage alpha` to every `tensor9` command. Keys and control planes from different environments are not interchangeable.


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