# Authentication

Cortex uses an API key to authenticate HTTP requests. Find your API key in the drop down of your profile where it says View API Keys.

<figure><img src="/files/OIOzRbK2XY9OkqBplhke" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

API requests should include your API key in the HTTP header.

```http
Authorization: Bearer CORTEX_API_KEY
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.trycortex.ai/api-references/authentication.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.