| --- | |
| title: "Find or replace your license / API key" | |
| description: "Where to create the wm_ key requested by the desktop app or API, which plans include one, and what to do if the full key is no longer visible." | |
| --- | |
| World Monitor calls this value a **license key** in some desktop screens and an **API key** elsewhere. They refer to the same user-created value, which starts with `wm_`. | |
| <Info> | |
| Checkout does not create a reusable key for you. **API Starter and API Business** subscribers create their own keys after signing in. **Dashboard Pro and Pro Business do not include manual API keys**; those subscribers can use the signed-in web dashboard and connect supported MCP clients with OAuth instead. | |
| </Info> | |
| ## Create a key | |
| 1. Open the [World Monitor dashboard](https://worldmonitor.app/dashboard) and sign in with the account that owns the API subscription. | |
| 2. Select **Settings** in the top-right corner. | |
| 3. Open the **API Keys** tab. | |
| 4. Enter a name such as `desktop` or `my-app`, then select **Create Key**. | |
| 5. Copy the complete `wm_...` value immediately and store it in a password manager or secret manager. | |
| The full key is shown only once. World Monitor stores a one-way hash, not the plaintext key. | |
| ## If you can see only the prefix | |
| The API Keys tab lists a short prefix so you can identify each key, but it cannot reveal the complete value again. | |
| 1. Revoke the key whose full value you lost. | |
| 2. Create a replacement. | |
| 3. Update every app or script that used the old key. | |
| Revocation is permanent. Applications using the old key will stop working. | |
| ## Use the key in the desktop app | |
| In the World Monitor desktop app, open **Settings → Overview**, paste the complete value into **License / API Key**, then select **Save & Close**. | |
| For API requests, send the same value in the `X-WorldMonitor-Key` header. See the [API quickstart](/usage-quickstart) for examples. | |
| ## If the API Keys tab asks you to upgrade | |
| Manual keys require an active **API Starter** or **API Business** subscription. A Dashboard Pro or Pro Business subscription unlocks dashboard and MCP features, but it does not include manual API-key creation. | |
| If you already bought an API plan, confirm that you signed in with the account that owns the subscription. If the plan is still not recognized, email [support@worldmonitor.app](mailto:support@worldmonitor.app) from the purchase email address. Include the plan name and, if available, only the short key prefix—**never send a complete key**. | |
| ## Related | |
| - [Accounts & Sign-up](/accounts) | |
| - [Plans & Pricing](/pricing) | |
| - [Authentication & Usage](/usage-auth) | |
| - [Support & Contact](/support) | |