API Keys

Most BioMCP workflows run without credentials. Some enrichment and higher-rate access paths improve with API keys.

Required for prediction section

ALPHAGENOME_API_KEY

Used by variant prediction lookups:

export ALPHAGENOME_API_KEY="..."
biomcp get variant "chr7:g.140453136A>T" predict

Optional enrichment keys

ONCOKB_TOKEN

Used for production OncoKB enrichment. If omitted, BioMCP uses the public/demo path when possible.

export ONCOKB_TOKEN="..."
biomcp get variant "BRAF V600E"

NCI_API_KEY

Used for NCI CTS trial calls.

export NCI_API_KEY="..."
biomcp search trial -c melanoma --source nci

OPENFDA_API_KEY

Improves OpenFDA rate limits for drug safety lookups.

export OPENFDA_API_KEY="..."
biomcp search adverse-event --drug pembrolizumab --limit 5

Key management guidance

• Prefer environment variables over hardcoded values.
• Do not commit secrets into source control.
• Set keys in the same environment used by your MCP client.
• Rotate keys when sharing machines or CI runners.