---
title: "Add key permissions"
method: POST
path: "/v2/keys.addPermissions"
tags: ["keys"]
---

# Add key permissions

`POST /v2/keys.addPermissions`

Add permissions to a key without affecting existing permissions.

Use this for privilege upgrades, enabling new features, or plan changes that grant additional capabilities. Permissions granted through roles remain unchanged.

**Important**: Changes take effect immediately with up to 30-second edge propagation.

**Required Permissions**

Your root key must have one of the following permissions:
- `api.*.update_key` (to update keys in any API)
- `api.<api_id>.update_key` (to update keys in a specific API)

**Side Effects**

Invalidates the key cache for immediate effect, and makes permissions available for verification within 30 seconds across all regions.

## Request body

- V2KeysAddPermissionsRequestBody
  - `keyId` string, required — Specifies which key receives the additional permissions using the database identifier returned from `keys.createKey`. Do not confuse this with the actual API key string that users include in requests.
  - `permissions` string[], required — Grants additional permissions to the key through direct assignment or automatic creation. Duplicate permissions are ignored automatically, making this operation idempotent. Adding permissions never removes existing permissions or role-based permissions. Any permissions that do not exist will be auto created if the root key has permissions, otherwise this operation will fail with a 403 error.

## Response `200`

Permissions added successfully. Returns all permissions currently assigned to the key.

- V2KeysAddPermissionsResponseBody
  - `meta` Meta, required — Metadata object included in every API response. This provides context about the request and is essential for debugging, audit trails, and support inquiries. The `requestId` is particularly important when troubleshooting issues with the Unkey support team.
    - `requestId` string, required — A unique id for this request. Always include this ID when contacting support about a specific API request. This identifier allows Unkey's support team to trace the exact request through logs and diagnostic systems to provide faster assistance.
  - `data` Permission[], required — Complete list of all permissions directly assigned to the key (including both newly added permissions and those that were already assigned). This response includes: - All direct permissions assigned to the key (both pre-existing and newly added) - Both the permission ID and name for each permission Important notes: - This list does NOT include permissions granted through roles - For a complete permission picture, use `/v2/keys.getKey` instead - An empty array indicates the key has no direct permissions assigned
    - `id` string, required — The unique identifier for this permission within Unkey's system. Generated automatically when the permission is created and used to reference this permission in API operations. Always begins with 'perm_' followed by alphanumeric characters and underscores.
    - `name` string, required — The human-readable name for this permission that describes its purpose. Should be descriptive enough for developers to understand what access it grants. Use clear, semantic names that reflect the resources or actions being permitted. Names must be unique within your workspace to avoid confusion and conflicts.
    - `slug` string, required — The unique URL-safe identifier for this permission.
    - `description` string — Optional detailed explanation of what this permission grants access to. Helps team members understand the scope and implications of granting this permission. Include information about what resources can be accessed and what actions can be performed. Not visible to end users - this is for internal documentation and team clarity.

## Other responses

- `400` — Bad request
- `401` — Unauthorized
- `403` — Forbidden
- `404` — Not found
- `429` — Too Many Requests
- `500` — Internal server error

---

[API](https://skmtc.net/unkeyed/apis/unkey-api.md) · [All operations](https://skmtc.net/unkeyed/apis/unkey-api/llms.txt) · [OpenAPI document](https://skmtc-service-staging.skmtc.workers.dev/v1/apis/unkeyed/unkey-api/versions/fa78aafac89c/schema)