---
title: What is the Data Library, and how do I add an API key?
question: data library and api keys
area: settings
order: 11
surface: desktop
audience: beginner
keywords: [data library, data sources, api key, save key, add key, keyed source, free source, paid, hide source, catalogue, encrypted, login, provider, licence]
related: [integrations, mcp-servers-and-agent-browser]
updated: 2026-09-09
---

# What is the Data Library, and how do I add an API key?

Open the full settings page and click **Data Library**. It is a catalogue of data sources your agents can draw on. For sources that need a key or login, save your own in the credential fields. You can hide sources you do not want used in catalogue searches. A catalogue entry or saved key does not guarantee current access, free use or permission to republish the source's data.

## Finding a source

At the top is a **Search sources by name, provider, topic…** box, plus filters:

- **Cost**: all, free, needs key, or paid.
- **Country**: all, UK, US, EU, or GLOBAL.
- **Validated**: show only sources codus has verified.
- **My key set**: show only sources you have already added a key for.
- **Show hidden**: include sources you have hidden.

The list below is a table with columns **Source**, **Country**, **Access**, and **Licence**. A source may carry a small tag such as **unverified** or **licence-gated** so you know its status at a glance.

## Adding your key for a source

1. Find the source in the table.
2. Click **Add key** on its row (it reads **Edit key** if you already saved one).
3. Enter what the source needs. Most want an **API key**; some want a **Login / email** and **Password** instead.
4. Click **Save key**.

Credentials are stored locally for the supported tools to use. Do not paste them into chat or assume that local storage means a credential is never supplied to a tool or request. Check the source's licence and account limits before use. This catalogue is separate from [integration usage and allowances](../integrations/check-integration-usage.md).

## Hiding a source

Click **Hide** on a source's row to keep it out of your agents' searches. It changes to **Unhide** so you can bring it back later. Turn on the **Show hidden** filter to see the ones you have hidden.

## How do I know it worked?

After you save a key, the row's button changes to **Edit key**, and the source appears when you turn on the **My key set** filter. A hidden source drops out of the normal list and only reappears with **Show hidden** on.

## Common problems

- **The table says "No sources match these filters".** Your filters are too narrow. Set **Cost** and **Country** back to **all**, and turn off **Validated**, **My key set**, and **Show hidden**.
- **It says "Loading the catalogue…" for a while.** codus is fetching the source list. Give it a moment; if it fails, a retry button appears.
- **This is not the service I meant to connect.** To connect a whole account like GitHub or Stripe, use Integrations instead. See [How do I connect GitHub, Stripe, and other tools?](integrations.md).