What we need: 1 API key
Time: about 2 minutes
Who can do this: the person whose calendar and bookings we will work with. Each user makes their own key.
Plan needed: API keys are available on all Cal.com account types

Before you start

Log in details for your Cal.com account.
OneTimeSecret open in another tab. You will use it to send the key. How it works.

Get your API key

Log in to Cal.com
Go to app.cal.com and log in.
Open Settings
Click your name, then Settings (sometimes called My Settings).
Open API keys
In the left menu, find Developer and click API keys. Shortcut: app.cal.com/settings/developer/api-keys.

Note
Don't see it? Look under Security instead. Cal.com has moved this page before.
Create the key
Click + Add (top right). Name it "Uplifted Consulting". For expiry, choose Never expires, or the date we agreed. Click Save.
Copy the key
Copy the key straight away. It starts with cal_live_.

Careful
Cal.com shows the key only once. If you lose it, create a new one.

Paste the key into OneTimeSecret, create the link, and send us only the link. Label it "Cal.com API key".

My key starts with cal_ but not cal_live_

That is a test key. It will not work with your real bookings. Create a new key and make sure it starts with cal_live_.

The key stopped working after a while

It probably expired. Create a new key with Never expires, or a longer date, and send it again.

We need several team members' calendars

Each key only works as the person who made it. Ask each person to do these steps, or tell us and we will suggest a better setup.

_{Last checked: 22 Oct 2026 against Cal.com's API docs.}

Doing several tools? Tick them all on Your tools and get one prompt or checklist.