# Authentication

The GitBook API uses Personal access tokens to authenticate requests.

You can view and manage your access tokens in the [Developer settings](https://app.gitbook.com/account/developer) of your GitBook user account.

API requests are authenticated using the [Bearer Auth scheme](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTTP/Authentication#authentication_schemes). To authenticate a request, provide the token in the `Authorization` header of the request:

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer <your_access_token>" https://api.gitbook.com/v1/user
```

Access tokens are tied to the GitBook user account for which they were created. **A token provides the same level of access & privileges that its associated GitBook user account would have.**

{% hint style="warning" %}
Please be sure to keep your API access tokens secure! Do not share them in emails, chat messages, client-side code or publicly accessible sites.

If you have accidentally shared an API access token publicly, you can revoke it in the [Developer settings](https://app.gitbook.com/account/developer) of your GitBook user account by clicking the X button beside the token.
{% endhint %}
