setup-api-key Skill (ElevenLabs) for Claude: What It Does and How to Install It

Makes Claude check or fix an existing ElevenLabs API key, and keep the key itself out of the chat.

Installs: 10.8K; on skills.sh
Stars: 528; on GitHub
Updated: Oct 2026; last repo commit

This skill checks whether ELEVENLABS_API_KEY is configured and valid, without reading the key into the conversation. Claude runs one check from your app folder. It finds the key the app would use (the shell, an env file or a .env higher up), tests it with ElevenLabs and prints JSON steps to follow, including signing you in for a new key if the old one is rejected.

If you already have a key, you paste it into the env file yourself, never into the chat. It needs internet access to elevenlabs.io and api.elevenlabs.io and Node.js for npx. For adding ElevenLabs to a project from scratch, SKILL.md points to the onboarding skill.

Good for

Developers whose ElevenLabs key returns 401 or invalid_api_key
People handed a key by an administrator
Users whose role cannot create keys

Install setup-api-key

Claude Code

Copy this prompt.

Install the setup-api-key skill in Claude Code. Run this command:

npx skills add elevenlabs/skills --skill setup-api-key

Then check that it loaded and tell me how to use it.

2
Paste it into Claude Code. It shows the change and asks before running it.

Requires Node.js.

Pick one route. The skills CLI route installs just this skill; the README's own command adds all 12 ElevenLabs skills. The skill runs npx, so it needs Node.js, and the box has no Claude app upload. For first-time setup of ElevenLabs in a project, SKILL.md points to the separate onboarding skill.

Built from the package data we hold. Not yet tested by us.

What's in the skill

When it loads

Fix or hand-configure an existing ElevenLabs API key. Use when a key stopped working (401 or invalid_api_key), when an administrator issued the key, when the user's role cannot create keys, or when the user already has a key and needs it in the right place. Checks whether ELEVENLABS_API_KEY is configured and valid, without reading it into the conversation. Not for first-time setup or adding ElevenLabs to a project (use onboarding).

Sections in SKILL.md

Rules
No npx

Key facts

Author: elevenlabs (repo owner). It sits in ElevenLabs' own elevenlabs/skills repo
License: MIT (SKILL.md frontmatter and README)
Installs on skills.sh: 10,816 (Nov 2, 2026)
GitHub stars: 528 for the whole elevenlabs/skills repo (Nov 2, 2026)
Last repo commit: Oct 28, 2026
What it includes: 1 file: SKILL.md only (no scripts)
Needs: Internet access to elevenlabs.io and api.elevenlabs.io, and Node.js for npx (or the ElevenLabs CLI installed another way)
Works in: Any compatible AI coding assistant, per the repo README (Agent Skills specification)

What it includes

npx -y @elevenlabs/cli@latest onboard check
Finds the key your app would use, checks it with ElevenLabs without printing it, and prints JSON with next, run and say fields.
Try: “My ElevenLabs key stopped working with a 401. Can you check it?”
Runs code · Check an existing key
run, wait, ask_user, fix, write_code, offer_test, done
Each next value tells Claude what to do. For a rejected key the check signs you in for a new one.
Runs code · Follow the next step
You paste the key after ELEVENLABS_API_KEY= in your env file
For a key an administrator issued. Claude then runs the same check and never opens the env file.
Read · Hand-configured key
Never print, ask for or accept the key in chat
If a key appears in chat, Claude tells you to rotate it on the API keys page. Browser apps keep the key on the server.
Read · Rules
Install the ElevenLabs CLI another way
Gives brew, curl and PowerShell installers, then runs elevenlabs onboard check instead.
Runs code · No npx fallback

From the official docs

Permissions

Medium risk

What it can do

Read your data
Create and change things
Delete things
Read-only mode

Watch out for

It runs the latest CLI package without a prompt
npx -y downloads and runs @elevenlabs/cli@latest. Check the command Claude shows you and your network policy before you approve it. github.com
Fallback installers download scripts
Without npx, SKILL.md installs the CLI with brew, a curl installer from github.com/elevenlabs/cli releases piped to sh, or a PowerShell installer run with -ExecutionPolicy ByPass. github.com
It can sign you in and set up a new key
For a rejected key, SKILL.md says the check signs the user in for a new one. If you only wanted a check, say so before it starts. github.com
The key stays out of the chat by design
SKILL.md forbids opening or printing the env file and asking for the key in chat. Paste any key into the env file yourself. github.com

Security advisories

No published security advisories as of Nov 2, 2026.

Technical details

Turning on read-only	No read-only mode.
Talks to	elevenlabs.io and api.elevenlabs.io (SKILL.md compatibility). github.com (CLI installer download)
Sign-in and keys	The check reads ELEVENLABS_API_KEY from the shell, the env file or a .env up the tree. SKILL.md says it verifies the key without printing it.
Scopes	Claude runs npx -y @elevenlabs/cli@latest onboard check from your app folder The check finds ELEVENLABS_API_KEY in the shell, the env file or a .env up the tree If the key is rejected, the check signs you in for a new one

Questions

What does the setup-api-key skill do?

It helps when an ElevenLabs API key stopped working or was issued by someone else. Claude runs a check that finds and tests the key without printing it, then follows the steps the check returns.

How do I install setup-api-key?

Use the install box at the top of this page. It installs just this skill, or all 12 ElevenLabs skills from the README command. It needs Node.js, so there is no Claude app upload.

Does Claude see my API key?

SKILL.md says no: Claude must never open, print or cat the env file, never echo ELEVENLABS_API_KEY, and never ask for or accept a key in chat. If one appears, it tells you to rotate it.

When should I use onboarding instead?

For first-time setup or adding ElevenLabs to a project. SKILL.md says this skill is for a key you already have or one that stopped working, and points to the onboarding skill for the rest.

What if npx is not installed?

SKILL.md gives other ways to get the ElevenLabs CLI: brew, a curl installer script on macOS or Linux, or a PowerShell installer on Windows. It then runs elevenlabs onboard check instead.

Is it safe?

It runs npx -y with the latest @elevenlabs/cli, which downloads and runs that package without asking, and the fallback installers download scripts from GitHub. For a rejected key it signs you in for a new one. Review the commands before you approve them (our advice).

Information

updated Nov 2, 2026

Repository: elevenlabs/skills
Folder: setup-api-key

elevenlabs/skills skills.sh

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 2

setup-api-key SKILL.md · github.com
elevenlabs/skills README · github.com