> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/rohanarun/phoneclaw/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# API Keys Setup

> Configure Moondream authentication and other API keys required for PhoneClaw

PhoneClaw requires several API keys to function properly. This guide walks you through setting up the necessary authentication tokens.

## Moondream Authentication

PhoneClaw uses the Moondream API for visual AI capabilities, including screen element detection and image analysis.

### Getting Your Moondream Auth Token

1. Sign up for a Moondream API account at [Moondream](https://moondream.ai)
2. Navigate to your API dashboard
3. Copy your authentication token

### Setting Up MOONDREAM\_AUTH

You need to add your Moondream authentication token to your project's Gradle properties.

<Note>
  The `MOONDREAM_AUTH` token is required for PhoneClaw's visual AI features to work. Without it, screen element detection will fail.
</Note>

#### Option 1: Using local.properties (Recommended)

Create or edit `local.properties` in your project root:

```properties theme={null}
MOONDREAM_AUTH=your_moondream_auth_token_here
```

<Warning>
  Never commit `local.properties` to version control. This file should remain local to your development machine.
</Warning>

#### Option 2: Using gradle.properties

Alternatively, add it to `gradle.properties`:

```properties theme={null}
MOONDREAM_AUTH=your_moondream_auth_token_here
```

### How It Works

The `MOONDREAM_AUTH` token is loaded during the build process in `app/build.gradle.kts:20-23`:

```kotlin theme={null}
val moondreamAuth = (project.findProperty("MOONDREAM_AUTH") as String?)
    ?.replace("\"", "\\\"")
    ?: ""
buildConfigField("String", "MOONDREAM_AUTH", "\"$moondreamAuth\"")
```

This makes the token available at runtime via `BuildConfig.MOONDREAM_AUTH`.

## OpenRouter API Key

PhoneClaw uses OpenRouter for AI model access. While the model selection is configurable in the app, you may need an OpenRouter API key for premium models.

### Setting Up OpenRouter

1. Create an account at [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai)
2. Generate an API key from your dashboard
3. Configure it in your environment or directly in the app

<Note>
  Some models like "Llama 4 Maverick (Free)" don't require payment, but you still need an OpenRouter account.
</Note>

## Firebase Configuration (Optional)

Firebase is optional but provides cloud features like remote debugging and device management.

Firebase can be configured following the Android Studio Firebase setup wizard.

## Verifying Your Configuration

After setting up your API keys:

1. Clean and rebuild your project:
   ```bash theme={null}
   ./gradlew clean build
   ```

2. Check the build output for any configuration warnings

3. Launch the app - it should initialize without authentication errors

## Troubleshooting

### Build Errors Related to MOONDREAM\_AUTH

If you see build errors about missing `MOONDREAM_AUTH`:

1. Verify the property is set in `local.properties` or `gradle.properties`
2. Ensure there are no extra spaces or quotes around the token
3. Try a clean rebuild: `./gradlew clean build`

### Token Not Working

* Verify your Moondream token is still valid
* Check that the token was copied correctly without any trailing whitespace
* Ensure your Moondream account has sufficient API credits

## Security Best Practices

<Warning>
  **Never commit API keys to version control!**

  Add these lines to your `.gitignore`:

  ```gitignore theme={null}
  local.properties
  app/google-services.json
  *.env
  ```
</Warning>

* Use `local.properties` for sensitive credentials
* Rotate your API keys periodically
* Never share your authentication tokens
* Consider using environment variables in CI/CD pipelines

## Next Steps

* [Configure OpenRouter Models](/configuration/models)
* [Set Up Android Permissions](/configuration/permissions)
* [Setup Device Guide](/guides/setup-device)