# Create an IONOS API key

> To connect IONOS, InfraNest needs an API key. The same key covers DNS, domains and certificates.

Source: https://infranest.io/docs/create-an-ionos-api-key
Last updated: 2026-09-30

---

This article walks you through creating an IONOS API key so you can connect your IONOS account to InfraNest, covering DNS, domains and certificates in one step.

## Overview
- InfraNest needs an IONOS API key to manage your DNS, domains and certificates.
- One key covers all three areas — you only need to create it once.
- You'll create the key on the IONOS website, then bring it back to InfraNest to finish connecting.

## Create the key
1. Go to **developer.hosting.ionos.com** and sign in.
2. Create an API key.

   <!-- manual-screenshot: create-an-ionos-api-key-1 — taken by hand in the IONOS console; the capture rig cannot reach it -->

3. Your key has two parts — a prefix and a secret — shown together as `prefix.secret`.
4. Copy the whole value, including the part before the dot.

> [!WARNING]
> Copy the full `prefix.secret` value. Leaving off the prefix (the part before the dot) is the most common cause of an "authentication failed" error.

## Next step
1. Go back to InfraNest.
2. Follow **Connect IONOS** to paste your key.