# Security Configuration
This section explains how to configure authentication and security-related aspects when testing APIs with Catalyst.
## Authentication Methods
Catalyst supports several authentication methods that can be configured in the global configuration section or per test.
### Cookie-based Authentication
The typical workflow for cookie-based authentication is:
1. Perform a login request
2. Extract the session cookie
3. Use the cookie in subsequent requests
Example:
```toml
[[tests]]
name = "Login"
method = "POST"
endpoint = "/auth/login"
body = { "username" = "test", "password" = "password" }
expected_status = 200
get_cookie = { "session_id" = "session_cookie" }
[[tests]]
name = "Access Protected Resource"
method = "GET"
endpoint = "/protected"
headers = { "Cookie" = "session_id={{session_cookie}}" }
expected_status = 200
```
### Bearer Token Authentication
Add an Authorization header via `default_headers` (global) or per-test `headers`:
```toml
[config]
base_url = "https://api.example.com"
default_headers = {
"Content-Type" = "application/json",
"Authorization" = "Bearer {{API_TOKEN}}"
}
```
You can pass `API_TOKEN` via `--var API_TOKEN=...` or use an environment variable with `${{API_TOKEN}}` in values.
## Handling API Keys
You can include API keys in headers or query parameters:
```toml
[[tests]]
name = "API Key in Header"
method = "GET"
endpoint = "/protected"
headers = { "X-API-Key" = "your-api-key" }
expected_status = 200
[[tests]]
name = "API Key in Query Parameter"
method = "GET"
endpoint = "/protected"
query_params = { "api_key" = "your-api-key" }
expected_status = 200
```
## Chaining Authentication
You can chain authentication by extracting tokens from responses:
```toml
[[tests]]
name = "Create User Token"
method = "POST"
endpoint = "/user/tokens"
headers = { "Cookie" = "{{session_cookie}}" }
expected_status = 200
store = { "data.token" = "token" }
[[tests]]
name = "Access Protected Resource"
method = "GET"
endpoint = "/protected"
headers = { "x-api-token" = "{{token}}" }
expected_status = 200
```
## Next Steps
For more information about test configuration and advanced features, see:
- [Schema Reference](../reference/schema.md)
- [Test Reference Index](../reference/references.md)