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Your account has two kinds of keys:
  • API keys let your own scripts and tools use the panel as you, for example a bot that restarts your server.
  • SSH keys let you sign in to SFTP without typing your password.

Difficulty

Intermediate

Time

5 minutes

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Create an API key

1

Open API Credentials

Go to games.freakhosting.com/account/api, or click your avatar and then API Credentials.
2

Click Create key

Click Create key.
Create an API key window with a What is it for field and an Allowed IP addresses field, and Cancel and Create key buttons

Creating an API key

3

Describe what it's for

In WHAT IS IT FOR?, type a name you’ll recognise later, such as backup script.
4

Limit where it can be used (optional)

In ALLOWED IP ADDRESSES, enter one address per line, such as 203.0.113.10 or a range like 198.51.100.0/24. Leave it empty to allow any address.
5

Click Create key and copy it

Your new key is shown once. Click Copy key, store it somewhere safe, then click I have saved it.
Your new API key window with a hidden key starting with ptlc_, and Copy key and I have saved it buttons

Your new key is shown only once

Treat API keys like passwords. Anyone who has one can control your servers as you. If you lose a key, revoke it and create a new one.

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Manage your API keys

Your keys list showing one key with its name, the start of the key, and labels Never used, Any IP address and Created 12 seconds ago, with a Revoke button

Your API keys

Each key shows its name, the first part of the key (starting with ptlc_), when it was last used, which addresses may use it and when it was created. To delete a key, click Revoke, then Yes, revoke. Anything that uses the key stops working straight away.

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Add an SSH key for SFTP

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1. Create a key on your computer

If you don’t have a key yet, open a terminal (PowerShell on Windows, Terminal on macOS or Linux) and run:
Press Enter to accept the default location. This creates two files: a private key, and a public key ending in .pub. Only ever share the .pub file.

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2. Add the public key to the panel

1

Open SSH Keys

Go to games.freakhosting.com/account/ssh.
2

Name the key

In NAME, type something you’ll recognise, such as Work laptop.
3

Paste the public key

Open your .pub file in a text editor, copy everything and paste it into PUBLIC KEY. It starts with something like ssh-ed25519 AAAA.
SSH keys page with an Add a key card containing Name and Public key fields with a pasted ssh-ed25519 key and an Add key button

Adding an SSH key

4

Click Add key

You see SSH key added. and the key appears under Your keys.

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3. Use the key in your SFTP program

In your SFTP program (such as FileZilla or WinSCP), choose key-file sign-in and select your private key. Use the server address (port 2022) and username from your server’s Settings page. See connecting with SFTP.

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Remove an SSH key

Your keys list with one SSH key named Docs test laptop, its fingerprint, the time it was added and a Delete button

Your SSH keys

Click Delete next to the key, then Yes, delete. You can no longer sign in with it.

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Troubleshooting

Check that you copied the whole key, and that the address your script runs from is in the key’s allowed IP list. If you’re not sure, create a new key without an IP limit to test.
It can’t be shown again. Revoke the old key and create a new one.
Make sure you pasted the public key (the .pub file), not the private key, and that it is on one line.
Check that your SFTP program is set to use your private key file, and that the matching public key is listed on the SSH Keys page.

Connect with SFTP

Move files with FileZilla or WinSCP.

Activity log

See when keys were created or used.

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Need Extra Help?

If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist:

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Last Updated: October 2026