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

# Authentication

> Three ways to authenticate with the Synthesis API

The Synthesis API uses three authentication methods depending on the type of request.

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Project API key" icon="key" href="/docs/guides/authentication/project-api-key">
    Backend account management via `X-PROJECT-API-KEY` header. Create accounts, sessions, and API keys.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Account session" icon="shield" href="/docs/guides/authentication/account-session">
    Frontend user auth via `Authorization: Bearer` header. Short-lived, refreshable tokens.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Account API key" icon="lock" href="/docs/guides/authentication/account-api-key">
    Backend user operations via `X-API-KEY` header. Long-lived, revocable keys.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Quick reference

| Auth Method     | Header                      | Use Case                     | Routes                                  |
| --------------- | --------------------------- | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Project API Key | `X-PROJECT-API-KEY`         | Backend account management   | `/api/v1/project/*`                     |
| Session Token   | `Authorization: Bearer ...` | Frontend user authentication | `/api/v1/account/*`, `/api/v1/wallet/*` |
| Account API Key | `X-API-KEY`                 | Backend user operations      | `/api/v1/account/*`, `/api/v1/wallet/*` |