> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://zite.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Zite Secrets > Securely store sensitive information like external API keys so your Zite app can use them safely behind the scenes. ## What are Secrets? **Secrets** or environment variables are private values (such as API keys, tokens, or credentials) that your app can use behind the scenes. They are **only available in backend workflows** and are never visible to users, which helps keep sensitive information safe. ## When should you use Secrets? Use Secrets when you want to connect your app to an external service that requires an API key especially if it’s not already built into Zite. For example, you might use Secrets to: * Send emails using a service like Postmark * Connect to tools that require API keys * Add integrations that Zite doesn’t support out of the box If a service is already supported by Zite, you usually don’t need to add a Secret. ## Add secrets to your app Open the website or service you'd like Zite to use. Let’s say you want to send emails using Postmark. Copy your API key from there. Go to your Zite app and click in the top right. Screenshot 2026 04 15 At 5 19 21 PM Navigate to `Secrets` and click `Add secret`. Screenshot 2026 03 25 At 4 26 09 PM Then, paste it into the **Value** field.  Image In some cases, Zite may suggest a Secret for you based on what you’re building in the chat box.