# Instantly Security Basics

> Apply Instantly security best practices for secrets and access control. Use when securing API keys, implementing least privilege access, or auditing Instantly security configuration. Trigger with phrases like "instantly security", "instantly secrets", "secure instantly", "instantly API key security".

- Skill: `tools-only/instantly-security-basics` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add tools-only/instantly-security-basics`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/instantly-security-basics/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Security
- License: MIT
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/instantly-security-basics

---


# Instantly Security Basics

## Overview
Security best practices for Instantly API keys, tokens, and access control.

## Prerequisites
- Instantly SDK installed
- Understanding of environment variables
- Access to Instantly dashboard

## Instructions

### Step 1: Configure Environment Variables
```bash
# .env (NEVER commit to git)
INSTANTLY_API_KEY=sk_live_***
INSTANTLY_SECRET=***

# .gitignore
.env
.env.local
.env.*.local
```

### Step 2: Implement Secret Rotation
```bash
# 1. Generate new key in Instantly dashboard
# 2. Update environment variable
export INSTANTLY_API_KEY="new_key_here"

# 3. Verify new key works
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INSTANTLY_API_KEY}" \
  https://api.instantly.com/health

# 4. Revoke old key in dashboard
```

### Step 3: Apply Least Privilege
| Environment | Recommended Scopes |
|-------------|-------------------|
| Development | `read:*` |
| Staging | `read:*, write:limited` |
| Production | `Only required scopes` |

## Output
- Secure API key storage
- Environment-specific access controls
- Audit logging enabled

## Error Handling
| Security Issue | Detection | Mitigation |
|----------------|-----------|------------|
| Exposed API key | Git scanning | Rotate immediately |
| Excessive scopes | Audit logs | Reduce permissions |
| Missing rotation | Key age check | Schedule rotation |

## Examples

### Service Account Pattern
```typescript
const clients = {
  reader: new InstantlyClient({
    apiKey: process.env.INSTANTLY_READ_KEY,
  }),
  writer: new InstantlyClient({
    apiKey: process.env.INSTANTLY_WRITE_KEY,
  }),
};
```

### Webhook Signature Verification
```typescript
import crypto from 'crypto';

function verifyWebhookSignature(
  payload: string, signature: string, secret: string
): boolean {
  const expected = crypto.createHmac('sha256', secret).update(payload).digest('hex');
  return crypto.timingSafeEqual(Buffer.from(signature), Buffer.from(expected));
}
```

### Security Checklist
- [ ] API keys in environment variables
- [ ] `.env` files in `.gitignore`
- [ ] Different keys for dev/staging/prod
- [ ] Minimal scopes per environment
- [ ] Webhook signatures validated
- [ ] Audit logging enabled

### Audit Logging
```typescript
interface AuditEntry {
  timestamp: Date;
  action: string;
  userId: string;
  resource: string;
  result: 'success' | 'failure';
  metadata?: Record<string, any>;
}

async function auditLog(entry: Omit<AuditEntry, 'timestamp'>): Promise<void> {
  const log: AuditEntry = { ...entry, timestamp: new Date() };

  // Log to Instantly analytics
  await instantlyClient.track('audit', log);

  // Also log locally for compliance
  console.log('[AUDIT]', JSON.stringify(log));
}

// Usage
await auditLog({
  action: 'instantly.api.call',
  userId: currentUser.id,
  resource: '/v1/resource',
  result: 'success',
});
```

## Resources
- [Instantly Security Guide](https://docs.instantly.com/security)
- [Instantly API Scopes](https://docs.instantly.com/scopes)

## Next Steps
For production deployment, see `instantly-prod-checklist`.