# Creating an API token
By creating an API token, you can authorize external applications, such as the Dodona plugin for JetBrains IDEs (opens new window), to act on your behalf, without ever providing them with your password. To create an API token, simply follow these four steps:
# 1. Go to your profile page
First, go to your profile page by clicking the link in the dropdown menu. Alternatively, you can browse to dodona.ugent.be/profile (opens new window).
# 2. Create a token
Scroll to the middle of the page and generate a new token by clicking the +
-button. Fill in a description of your choice (ex. pycharm). This allows you to identify the token later on, as it tells you which program uses that specific token.
# 3. Copy the token
Copy the newly generated token and paste it in the authentication dialog of the PyCharm plugin or the VS Code extension. On Dodona, you can see a list of all your active tokens. Be aware that you can't see the tokens themselves out of security considerations. You can delete a token at any time. Removing a token will cause it to stop functioning immediately.