keychains.dev

Keychains.dev is a secure credential delegation service designed specifically for AI agents, enabling them to access over 6,800 API providers without ever handling raw secrets. It functions as a proxy layer that injects credentials server-side, replacing the need for agents to store or transmit sensitive tokens, API keys, or passwords. The product is built for developers and organizations deploying autonomous AI agents that need to interact with external services while maintaining stringent security and user control.

The core problem Keychains.dev addresses is the significant security risk posed by AI agents becoming a new attack surface. Traditionally, granting an AI agent API access requires handing over raw credentials, which are then vulnerable to prompt injection attacks, malicious tools, or leaks through context windows. This creates scenarios where API keys are pasted into environment files and shared indiscriminately, with no visibility into credential usage and no straightforward way to revoke access without rotating the underlying secrets. Keychains.dev solves this by ensuring credentials never leave its secure server environment, making them invisible to potential exfiltration attempts.

A foundational feature is the use of `keychains curl` as a drop-in replacement for the standard `curl` command. The only modification required is replacing hard-coded credentials in API requests with template variables, such as `{{GITHUB_TOKEN}}` or `{{STRIPE_PRIVATE_KEY}}`. This allows developers to integrate secure API calls into their agent workflows with minimal changes to existing code, maintaining familiar patterns while drastically elevating security.

The platform enforces a robust user consent and permission model. When an AI agent requires a new API scope, the end-user is presented with a clear approval request detailing exactly what the agent intends to do. Permissions are granted explicitly with a single click, ensuring informed consent. This model guarantees that agents receive only the precise access they need for a given task, adhering to the principle of least privilege and preventing over-permissioning.

Keychains.dev is built on a security-first architecture with multiple core tenets. It utilizes SSH Key Identity for machine authentication, eliminating passwords and preventing API keys from being stored in an agent's environment. Stateful Fingerprinting ensures machines exchange unique fingerprints with every API call, allowing leaked keys to be invalidated upon first unauthorized use. The system provides Full Transparency, giving users a complete audit trail of every permission granted, across every agent and task. Furthermore, it enables Instant Revocation, allowing users to revoke any machine's access immediately with one click, without grace periods.