src/api/dependencies.py

from fastapi import Header, HTTPException, status
from src.config import settings

async def verify_api_key(x_api_key: str = Header(...)):
    """Validates the client's API Key against settings to prevent unauthorized usage."""
    if x_api_key != settings.API_KEY:
        raise HTTPException(
            status_code=status.HTTP_401_UNAUTHORIZED,
            detail="Invalid or missing API key."
        )
    return x_api_key