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Send the key the way the screenshot provider’s specific endpoint requires it, and make the request from your server—not public browser code. For ScreenshotEngine, the documented POST /v1/screenshot endpoint uses an Authorization: Bearer header with a JSON body; its GET /v1/screenshot endpoint requires api_key in the query string. The methods are not interchangeable unless that provider says they are.
Choose the authentication method for the exact endpoint
An API key authenticates your request to the screenshot service. Providers differ in whether they expect the credential in a header, query parameter, or another form. Check the method, endpoint, required fields, and response format in the provider’s current documentation before writing code.
| ScreenshotEngine request | Key placement | Request data |
|---|---|---|
POST /v1/screenshot |
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY |
JSON body containing the target URL and capture options |
GET /v1/screenshot |
api_key query parameter |
Query parameters, including the target URL |
These are ScreenshotEngine’s documented patterns, not universal screenshot API rules. Its API authentication documentation and quickstart describe the respective request forms. A Bearer header by itself does not replace the required query parameter on its documented GET endpoint.
Make the request safely from your backend
- Create a key: Generate an API key in the provider’s dashboard.
- Store it as a server secret: For example, ScreenshotEngine’s quickstart uses the environment variable
SCREENSHOTENGINE_API_KEY. Configure it in your local server environment or deployment secrets manager, not in a public frontend variable. - Call the provider from your server: Your backend reads the secret and makes the screenshot request. The browser should call your backend, which can return the resulting image bytes or a controlled response.
- Validate the response: Check the HTTP status and content type before treating the response body as an image. ScreenshotEngine’s quickstart describes successful requests as returning file bytes rather than a JSON download URL.
- Keep credentials out of logs: Do not log authorization headers or full query strings containing a key.
Putting a secret in frontend JavaScript, a public environment variable, or an image URL makes it available to people who can inspect the page or its network requests. ScreenshotEngine advises calling the service from your backend and returning the result to the frontend. OWASP’s Developer Guide says not to include authorization in a query string or expose identifiers in URLs, error messages, or logs.
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ScreenshotEngine POST example
This cURL example uses ScreenshotEngine’s documented POST shape. Set SCREENSHOTENGINE_API_KEY in the server environment first; replace the target URL as needed.
curl --fail-with-body --request POST 'https://api.screenshotengine.com/v1/screenshot'
--header "Authorization: Bearer $SCREENSHOTENGINE_API_KEY"
--header 'Content-Type: application/json'
--data '{
"url": "https://example.com",
"format": "png"
}'
--output screenshot.pngThe response is written to screenshot.png. Keep the secret in the server’s environment; do not substitute a literal key in code that will be published or sent to a browser.
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When the documented endpoint requires a GET query key
ScreenshotEngine’s GET form requires the key as a query parameter. URL-encode the target URL and any other values that need encoding:
https://api.screenshotengine.com/v1/screenshot?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexample.com&api_key=YOUR_API_KEYQuery credentials can appear in access logs, browser history, monitoring systems, or copied URLs. Use this form only where the provider requires it, make the request server-side, and ensure your logging and error-reporting systems do not retain the full credential-bearing URL. Do not assume a header works instead; follow the documented schema for that endpoint.
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Keep the screenshot-service key separate from target-site login
The screenshot API key identifies your application to the capture service. It does not automatically sign the renderer into the website being captured. ScreenshotEngine’s documented endpoint accepts a public URL and does not provide custom target-site cookies, target-site authorization headers, or login scripts. If the page is private, verify that the chosen provider and endpoint explicitly support the required target-page authentication. Cloudflare’s screenshot API reference documents separate target-page options including cookies and HTTP Basic Authentication; those options are specific to its endpoint, not a general property of screenshot APIs (Cloudflare screenshot API reference).
Common errors and fixes
- 401 or 403 response: Confirm the key is present, active, and sent in the required location for that method. Check for an accidental whitespace character or a server environment variable that was not configured in the deployed environment.
- GET fails despite a Bearer header: ScreenshotEngine’s documented GET schema requires
api_keyin the query. Use the documented parameter rather than assuming the POST authentication method applies. - POST fails when the key is in the URL: Use the documented Bearer header for ScreenshotEngine POST, with a JSON body and
Content-Type: application/json. - The returned file is actually an error: Check the HTTP status and content type before saving or serving the body as an image. A failed request may not return image bytes.
- The captured page still shows a login screen: The API key authenticates your call to the capture service, not the renderer to the target site. Confirm endpoint-specific support for cookies, HTTP Basic Authentication, or another login method.
- The key appeared in a log or public URL: Create a replacement key, update the server secret, then revoke the exposed key. Review logging and monitoring configuration to prevent the new credential from being recorded.
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. Its API accepts a URL in one GET request and can return a PNG, JPEG, WebP, or PDF. For a backend request, keep the access key server-side and use the documented endpoint and options in the ScreenshotNeo documentation.
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curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpScreenshotNeo removes cookie banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture. Bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are never billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents take screenshots, and the Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots a month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Sign up for free: 1,000 screenshots a month, no card required.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
Does a screenshot API key log the renderer in to the page being captured?
No. The API key authenticates your request to the screenshot service; target-site login is a separate, endpoint-specific capability.
What should I do if an API key was exposed?
Issue a replacement, update the server secret, and revoke the exposed key.
Quick Recap
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