API Keys

Manage authentication keys for Device Farm automation.

Overview

API Keys are used to authenticate automated tests with Device Farm. Each key is tied to your organization and can be used for Appium/WebDriver connections and test event reporting.

Key Format

Device Farm API keys follow this format:

df_auto_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Keys are 40 characters long and prefixed with df_auto_.

How to Use

Method 1: HTTP Header (Recommended)

Include the API key in the X-API-Key header:

curl -X POST "https://api.rabbitqa.com/df/wd/hub/session" \
  -H "X-API-Key: df_auto_xxxxx" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"capabilities": {...}}'

Method 2: Capability

Include the API key as a capability (useful for Appium clients):

{
  "platformName": "Android",
  "appium:automationName": "UiAutomator2",
  "df:apiKey": "df_auto_xxxxx"
}

Authenticated Endpoints

These endpoints require API key authentication:

Endpoint	Description
/df/wd/hub/session	Create automated test
/df/wd/hub/session/{id}/*	All WebDriver/Appium commands
/api/automation/sessions/{id}/test-events	Report test execution events

Security Best Practices

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Never Commit Keys Never commit API keys to version control. Use environment variables or secret management systems instead.

Use Environment Variables

Store API keys in environment variables:

export DEVICE_FARM_API_KEY=df_auto_xxxxx

Rotate Keys Regularly

Create new keys periodically and revoke old ones. This limits the impact if a key is compromised.

Use Separate Keys

Create separate keys for different environments (dev, staging, prod) and different team members for better audit trails.

Key Management

Action	Description
Create	Generate a new API key with a descriptive name
View	See key details, creation date, and last used timestamp
Revoke	Permanently disable a key (cannot be undone)
Regenerate	Create a new key value while keeping the same name

Note: The full API key is only shown once when created. Make sure to copy it immediately and store it securely.