API Keys Configuration

Configure API keys for external services used by Noodles.gl. Access settings via the gear icon in the top menu bar.

Key Sources

Keys are resolved in priority order:

1. Browser - Stored in localStorage, persists across sessions
2. Project - Loaded from and retained in the project file until explicitly removed
3. Environment - Set via environment variables

The first source with a valid key is used automatically.

AI provider keys (Anthropic and OpenRouter) are the exception: they come only from the browser or the environment, never from a project file. See AI keys stay out of project files.

Supported Keys

Key	Purpose	Required For
Mapbox Access Token	Basemaps, directions	MaplibreBasemapOp with Mapbox styles
Google Maps API Key	Places and routing	Create Point wizard, traffic-aware driving, transit directions
Anthropic API Key	Claude AI assistant	AI chat features
OpenRouter API Key	AI assistant via OpenRouter	AI chat features

Mapbox Access Token

Used for Mapbox basemap styles and routing directions. Create a free account at mapbox.com to obtain a token.

Google Maps API Key

Required for the Create Point geocoding wizard, traffic-aware driving, and transit directions. Enable the Maps JavaScript API, Routes API, and Places API in the Google Cloud Console.

Anthropic API Key

Powers the in-app AI assistant. See the AI Assistant guide for detailed setup instructions.

Privacy and Security

API keys are stored locally and never sent to Noodles.gl servers. Browser keys are stored in localStorage.

Sharing Projects with Keys

Enabling Save browser keys in project file copies your browser map and data keys into noodles.json, where they are stored in plain text and travel with the project. Only share projects containing keys with trusted collaborators. Loaded project keys remain in subsequent saves until removed from App Settings.

AI keys stay out of project files

Anthropic and OpenRouter keys are never saved in a project file, even with Save browser keys in project file enabled, and a key found in a project file is never used. The AI assistant sends your messages and graph to the provider, so a key from someone else's project would route your conversation through their account, and a saved key would give your account to anyone you share the project with.

If a project file you open contains an AI key, App Settings → API Keys says so. The key is ignored and is removed from the file the next time you save.

Environment Variables

For development or CI/CD, set keys via environment variables:

VITE_MAPBOX_ACCESS_TOKEN=your_token_here
VITE_GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY=your_key_here
VITE_CLAUDE_API_KEY=your_key_here
VITE_OPENROUTER_API_KEY=your_key_here

These are read at build time and bundled into the application.