Today’s article will guide you how to get Zone ID and create API Token from Cloudflare quickly and easily. We will often need to use Zone ID and API Token when setting up and configuring the network, such as configuring Dynamic DNS or setting up Wildcard SSL.
1. What is Zone ID?
Zone ID is a unique identification number for each domain name (zone) that you manage on Cloudflare. Zone ID is used in many Cloudflare API commands to identify the exact domain you want to operate on.
For example: When you want to update DNS via API, you will need to provide a Zone ID so Cloudflare knows which domain to edit.
2. How to get Zone ID on Cloudflare
Visit Cloudflare’s homepage at https://www.cloudflare.com and log in to your account.
After logging in, you will see a list of domains added to Cloudflare. Click on the domain name you want to find Zone ID
After entering the domain’s management page, scroll down to the bottom of the page Overview, in the right column you will see the item Zone ID is in the section API.
For example:
Zone ID: 43423423423432430abcdefCode language: Nginx (nginx)Please copy this Zone ID to use when needed.
3. What is API Token and why is it necessary to create an API Token?
API Tokens is a security token that allows access and operations on Cloudflare via API. You can create API Tokens with specific permissions depending on each purpose of use, helping to increase security.
For example, you can create an API Token just for updating DNS, or another API Token for managing Firewall Rules.
4. How to create API Token on Cloudflare
Visit https://dash.cloudflare.com/profile/api-tokens to enter the Tokens API management page. Or from the Cloudflare homepage, click the Account icon and select My Profile
Next, click on API Token in the left Menu
To create a new Token, click the Create Token button
Cloudflare has created many templates so we can quickly configure parameters for Token. If you only need API Token related to DNS, click on the Use template button of the Edit Zone DNS section
Next, configure permissions for Token. Then click Continue to Summary
- Select permissions Zone:Edit to be able to read and edit domain information.
- Select the specific domain (or all domains) that this API Token will be allowed to access.
Click Create Token to confirm
Cloudflare will display your API Token only once. Please copy and save this code for use.
Note: Do not share your API Token with others and avoid storing it in unsafe places.
You can confirm whether the token is active or not by typing the command line curl ... enter the terminal. If you see a line in the returned result "status": "active" means the token is active.
{"result":{"id":"2a8376b6ab629d04aba6957570fd1d56","status":"active"},"success":true,"errors":(),"messages":({"code":10000,"message":"This API Token is valid and active","type":null})}%Code language: JavaScript (javascript)5. Security note
- You should use it API Tokens instead of Global API Key to enhance security.
- Grant only the necessary permissions to the API Token.
- Each application should use a separate API Token.
- Delete API Tokens that are no longer in use.
- Use password management tools like Bitwarden or 1Password to securely store API Tokens.
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