> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.ethioreview.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create sandbox API keys

> Create pk_test_* / sk_test_* credentials for local and staging widget testing.

Sandbox API keys let you embed and call EthioReview with **synthetic demo reviews**. They never change your live ratings.

## Who this is for

Developers and agencies building a first embed, running CI, or QA on a staging domain.

## Dashboard steps

**1. Open API keys**

In the [dashboard](https://app.ethioreview.com), go to **Integrations → API keys**.

**2. Create a SANDBOX client**

Click **Create** (or **Create API client**). Set:

| Field | Value |
| - | - |
| Name | e.g. `Local sandbox` |
| Environment | **SANDBOX** |
| Allowed origins | `http://localhost:3000`, staging URLs |

**3. Copy credentials once**

Save immediately:

* **Publishable key** — `pk_test_*` (safe for browser embeds)
* **Secret key** — `sk_test_*` (server only; shown **once**)

> [!WARNING]
>
> The plaintext secret is shown only at creation (and again after rotate). Store it in your secrets manager before you close the dialog.

## Copy-paste smoke test

```bash theme={null}
curl -H "X-Widget-Key: pk_test_YOUR_KEY" \
  "https://api.ethioreview.com/api/v1/widgets/businesses/YOUR_ORG_ID/reviews?limit=5&minStars=4"
```

You should receive synthetic testimonials in the same JSON shape as production.

## One failure mode

**Secret lost after closing the dialog** — you cannot view `sk_test_*` again. [Rotate the secret](/api-keys/rotate-revoke.md) to get a new pair, then update every server that used the old secret.

## Next

Create a matching sandbox widget under **Integrations → Review widgets**, then preview it in **Integrations → Sandbox test**.

[Create production keys →](/api-keys/create-production.md) · [Sandbox overview →](/sandbox/overview.md)


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