ARPIA Personal Tokens

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ARPIA Personal Tokens (APT) — Authentication for CLI & AI Agents

Overview

ARPIA Personal Tokens (APT) allow external tools like Claude Code, MCP clients, and CLI applications to authenticate with your MCP API Collections and, when enabled, the ARPIA AI / LLM chat proxy for custom integrations. Each token is scoped to exactly what you grant it; AI/LLM usage is governed by your workarea's AI budget guardrails. They do not grant access to other platform APIs.


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Key Concepts

What is an ARPIA Personal Token?

An APT works similarly to a GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT):

  • User-generated (created from your profile)
  • 👤 Identity-bound (all usage is auditable)
  • 🎯 Scoped (limited to selected API collections and proxy access)
  • 🔁 Revocable (can be disabled anytime)
  • Expirable (configurable expiration)

Token Format

apt_{ApiShort_Token}_{random_hex}

Example:

apt_13a4ebf0f1_a7c3f9e1b2d4e5f6a7c3f9e1b2d4e5f6a7c3f9e1
SegmentDescription
apt_Token prefix
ApiShort_TokenWorkspace identifier
random_hexSecret token value

🔐

Tokens are shown only once at creation time and stored securely (hashed). If lost, they must be regenerated.


Prerequisites

Before creating a token:

  • You have an active ARPIA account
  • You have access to at least one MCP API Collection
  • You can access your Profile page

Creating a Token (Step-by-Step)

Step 1 — Open Profile

1. Click your avatar (top-right corner)

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2. Select Profile

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3. Scroll to ARPIA Personal Tokens

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Step 2 — Create Token

1. Click Create New Token

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2. Complete the form:

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FieldDescription
Token NameFriendly name (e.g., "Claude Code - Laptop")
ExpirationToken validity period
API Collection ScopeAllowed collections
AI/LLM Proxy AccessAllow this token to call the AI/LLM Chat Proxy for custom integrations

Expiration Options:

  • 30 / 60 / 90 days
  • 1 year
  • No expiration (⚠️ use carefully)

Scope Options:

  • All permitted collections
  • Specific collections only

AI/LLM Proxy Access:

Enable the "Allow this token to call the AI / LLM chat proxy for custom integrations" checkbox if your use case requires direct LLM completions (e.g., AI agents, custom scripts). Leave it unchecked if you only need MCP API Collection access.

⚠️

Apply least privilege: only enable proxy access on tokens that explicitly require it. AI/LLM usage will count against your workarea's AI budget guardrails.

3. Click Create Token

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Step 3 — Copy Token

After creation:

  • Copy the token immediately
  • Store it securely (env variables, secrets manager)
  • Click Done

⚠️ You will NOT be able to see the token again.

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Using Your Token

Example: Claude Code / Cursor

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "arpia": {
      "url": "https://cloud.arpia.ai/mcp/?token=YOUR_COLLECTION_TOKEN",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_APT_TOKEN"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example: curl

curl -X GET "https://cloud.arpia.ai/mcp/?token=YOUR_COLLECTION_TOKEN" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_APT_TOKEN"

Example: Python

import requests

headers = {
    "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_APT_TOKEN",
    "Content-Type": "application/json"
}

response = requests.get(
    "https://cloud.arpia.ai/mcp/?token=YOUR_COLLECTION_TOKEN",
    headers=headers
)

print(response.json())

Managing Tokens

View Tokens

In your profile, you can see:

  • Name
  • Scope
  • AI/LLM Proxy Access (enabled / disabled)
  • Expiration
  • Last Used (with IP)
  • Status (ACTIVE / REVOKED)
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Revoke Token

1. Go to Profile → ARPIA Personal Tokens

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2. Click Revoke

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3. Confirm

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⚠️ Revocation is permanent.


Security Best Practices

Storage

  • Never commit tokens to Git
  • Use environment variables
  • Use .env files (ignored by Git)

Scope

  • Apply least privilege
  • Use separate tokens per tool
  • Avoid "All Collections" unless necessary
  • Only enable AI/LLM Proxy Access on tokens that explicitly require it; keep it disabled for MCP-only integrations

Rotation

  • Set expiration dates
  • Rotate regularly
  • Revoke unused tokens

Monitoring

  • Review last usage
  • Check unknown IPs
  • Remove inactive tokens

Authentication Comparison

MethodBest ForOAuthScope
OAuth 2.0Web appsYesSession-based
APTCLI / AI agents / MCPNoPer-token (collections)
APT + ProxyCustom AI integrations / agentsNoPer-token (collections + LLM)
Collection TokenQuick testsNoFull collection

Troubleshooting

IssueCauseSolution
401 UnauthorizedInvalid tokenCheck token / expiration
403 ForbiddenWrong scopeCreate new token with correct scope
403 on proxyProxy access not enabledRegenerate token with proxy checkbox enabled
No collectionsMissing permissionsContact admin
Token lostNot copiedCreate new token

Related Docs

  • MCP Server Guide
  • Security Permissions
  • Data Governance

✅ Summary

ARPIA Personal Tokens enable secure, flexible authentication for non-browser environments like CLI tools and AI agents. Tokens can optionally include access to the AI/LLM Chat Proxy for custom LLM integrations; all AI/LLM usage is governed by your workarea's AI budget guardrails.

Use them responsibly with proper scoping, storage, and rotation policies.