FaunaDB key system

Access to the FaunaDB API uses secrets that correspond to access keys, which authenticate connections as having particular permissions. The access key system applies both to administrator- and server-level connections, as well as to object- and user-level connections.

Keys are defined as documents within the keys collection. Like databases, keys exist within the system-global root database context.

Keys are tied to a specific database and allow access to its contents. If no database is specified, the key grants access to the database in which it was created. The level of access a key provides depends on its role.

You must copy the key’s secret out of the key when it is first created and store it securely. Only a BCrypt hash of the key is stored on disk. It is impossible to recover the key’s secret if it is discarded.

Field name Value type Description

role

String

The key’s role. Either admin, server, server-readonly, client, or one or more user-defined roles.

secret

String

The key’s authentication secret. Only present on creation.

hashed_secret

String

The key’s hashed authentication secret.

priority

Number

A priority between 1 and 500, inclusive. Defaults to 1.

database

Database ref

The database associated with this key. Optional.

data

Object

A JSON object. Optional.

Access keys

Keys belong to one of four built-in roles, either admin, server, server-readonly, or client, or to one or more used-defined roles.

Admin keys

Keys with the admin role are used for managing databases, keys, and user-defined roles. An admin key can be used to create and destroy databases and keys. They should be very well protected.

Admin keys for FaunaDB accounts are managed in the FaunaDB Console.

Server keys

Keys with the server role bypass all permission checks within the database they’re assigned to. Because they provide unrestricted access, they should be well protected and only used in trusted or server-side environments.

Server read-only keys

Keys with the server-readonly role allow read-only access to all data within the database that they are assigned to. Because they provide unrestricted read access, they should be well protected and only used in trusted or server-side environments.

Client keys

Keys with the client role are restricted to actions and resources that are specifically marked with the public permission. Because their access is controlled, they are suitable for embedding in untrusted environments, such as mobile clients.

Typically they are used as part of an application’s user authentication flow, or to access public data, such as an application’s logged-out view.

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