Authentication & Credits
CallMeLater uses API key authentication combined with a credit-based usage system to provide secure and predictable access to the scheduling service.API Key Authentication
All requests to the CallMeLater API must include your API key in the request headers.Getting Your API Key
- Sign up for a CallMeLater account
- Navigate to your dashboard
- Go to the “API Keys” section
- Click “Create New API Key”
- Give your key a descriptive name
- Copy and securely store the generated key
API keys are only shown once during creation. Make sure to copy and store them
securely.
Using Your API Key
Include your API key in thex-api-key header for all requests:
Credit System
CallMeLater operates on a credit-based system where each scheduled request consumes credits from your account.How Credits Work
- 1 Credit = 1 Scheduled Request: Each successfully scheduled HTTP request consumes one credit
- Immediate Deduction: Credits are deducted when you schedule a request, not when it executes
- Refund on Cancellation: If you cancel a scheduled request before it executes, the credit is refunded
- No Charge for Failures: If scheduling fails (invalid request, etc.), no credits are consumed
Checking Your Credit Balance
Credit Consumption Examples
| Action | Credits Used | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule a POST request | 1 | Standard consumption |
| Schedule a GET request | 1 | Same cost regardless of method |
| Cancel a scheduled request | 0 (refund +1) | Credit returned to account |
| Failed scheduling (invalid URL) | 0 | No charge for failed requests |
| Request execution fails | 0 | No additional charge if target fails |
API Key Management
Security Best Practices
Environment Variables
Store API keys in environment variables, never in your source code
Rotate Regularly
Create new API keys periodically and deactivate old ones
Scope Access
Use different API keys for different environments (dev, staging, prod)
Monitor Usage
Regularly check your credit usage and API key activity
Key Lifecycle
- Creation: Generate a new API key with a descriptive name
- Active Use: Use the key for API requests
- Monitoring: Track usage and credit consumption
- Rotation: Create new keys and update your applications
- Deactivation: Disable old keys when no longer needed
Environment Setup
Error Handling
Authentication Errors
| Status Code | Error | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 401 | Invalid API key | The provided API key is invalid or inactive |
| 401 | Missing API key | No API key was provided in the request |
| 402 | Insufficient credits | Your account doesn’t have enough credits |

