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Starbase API keys are created through the Starbase section of the Account Panel (not the API section). The creation flow is otherwise the same as standard Deribit API keys, but with a different set of available scopes and a required member setup step.
The Starbase section is only visible after your account has been authorized by a Deribit admin. If you do not see the section, contact support@deribit.com.
Before creating a Starbase API key, you must first add at least one member. Only main accounts can configure members. API key creation is scoped to a member.
“No active member” error: If key creation fails with a “No active member” error, the account you are creating the key for does not belong to an active Member. Add the account to a Member first — Members are managed exclusively at the main-account level — then create the key while switched into the subaccount UID that will use it. Every subaccount that trades on Starbase needs a Member; without one, the subaccount has no way to authenticate to Starbase.
Starbase API key management is a sensitive operation. If your account has Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled, you will be prompted for a security key confirmation. See Security Keys for details.

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Front-end interface

1

Navigate to the Starbase Section

Open the Starbase section in the Account Panel.The Starbase section is separate from the standard API section. Make sure you are in the correct section.Starbase Section
2

Add a Member

Before you can create an API key, you must add a member. Click Add Member and fill in:
  • Member Name: a label for this member (e.g. New member)
  • Accounts: select which accounts (main account and/or subaccounts) this member should have access to Starbase Members List
Click Add Member to open the dialog:Add Member DialogOnce saved, the member will appear in the Starbase member list.
A Member is a Starbase-specific concept that groups one or more portfolios (accounts/subaccounts) into a single trading participant. See Account Model for a full explanation.
Most clients can configure only one Member. Add every main-account or subaccount UID that needs Starbase access to that Member. Broker clients that require separate Members for independent end clients must contact support@deribit.com to have multi-Member access enabled. The panel may display an option to add another Member even when the account is not enabled to save it.
3

Create a New API Key

With a member selected, press Add new key to open the key creation dialog.Provide an optional Name for the key, then select one or more scopes from the following:
Scopes are not currently enforced on the REST gateway: any Starbase API key belonging to a direct-access-enabled portfolio can call every Starbase REST endpoint (order entry and portfolio management, including cancel_all, lock_portfolio, and unlock_portfolio), regardless of the scopes selected here. Scope-based restrictions may be introduced in the future, so select the scopes that match the key’s intended use.
Multicast market data and the retransmit API are unauthenticated — no API key or scope is required to subscribe to them.
Create API Key DialogClick Create API Key to generate the key.
4

Save Your Credentials

Once created, you will receive a Client ID and Client Secret.API Key Created
The Client Secret is only shown once when the key is created. Store it securely, as you cannot retrieve it later.
For a description of what these credentials are, see the Client ID and Client Secret section of the Creating new API key guide.

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API key limits

Each subaccount can have up to 8 Starbase API keys. Because each gateway connection requires its own API key, plan your key allocation based on the number of gateway connections you intend to maintain. Each API key can hold one connection per gateway — with 4 gateway pairs, that is up to 8 simultaneous connections per key. Reconnecting the same key to the same gateway terminates the existing session. See Gateway Connectivity for the full connection rules. Starbase API keys use a separate counter from standard Deribit API keys. Starbase API keys do not count toward your standard API key quota, and standard API keys do not count toward your Starbase quota. A standard Deribit API key cannot authenticate to Starbase — a separate Starbase key is always required.

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Next steps

Gateway Connectivity

How API keys map to gateway connections and connection rules

Binary API Reference

SBE protocol structure, message headers, and data types

Placing a New Order

Submit your first order via the SBE Order Entry API

FIX Drop Copy API

Consolidated drop copy of all portfolio activity

Session Messages

Logon, logout, and heartbeat session message flows

Cancel on Disconnect

Automatic order cancellation on connection loss

Related topics

Infrastructure, Connectivity & Best PracticesStarbase Connectivity QuickstartREST Order Gateway AuthenticationPortfolio ManagementAccount Model