Lovable security

API Keys Exposed in Lovable Frontend Code

Your Lovable app has API keys, database credentials, or other secrets visible in the browser's source code or network requests. Anyone who views your site can see these keys and potentially abuse them.

This is one of the most critical security issues in AI-generated apps. Lovable may place API keys directly in your frontend JavaScript, making them accessible to anyone who opens browser developer tools. Attackers can use these keys to access your database, send emails on your behalf, or rack up charges on your payment processor.

You might discover this when you receive an unexpectedly high bill from a service, when your database is tampered with, or when a security-conscious user reports the exposure.

Error Messages You Might See

Unauthorized: Invalid API key 403 Forbidden - Access denied Your API key was found in a public repository Billing alert: Unusual usage detected
Unauthorized: Invalid API key403 Forbidden - Access deniedYour API key was found in a public repositoryBilling alert: Unusual usage detected

Common Causes

  • Keys in environment variables loaded client-side — Lovable may use VITE_ or NEXT_PUBLIC_ prefixed environment variables that get bundled into the frontend code
  • Direct API calls from the browser — Instead of routing through a backend, the app calls third-party APIs directly from JavaScript with the key embedded
  • Hardcoded credentials in source files — API keys placed directly in .ts or .js files rather than environment variables
  • Supabase anon key confusion — Misunderstanding which Supabase keys are safe to expose (anon key) vs which must stay secret (service_role key)
  • No server-side proxy — The app architecture doesn't include a backend to securely handle API calls

How to Fix It

  1. Audit your source code — Open browser DevTools (F12), go to Sources tab, and search for keywords like 'key', 'secret', 'password', 'token' in your JavaScript bundles
  2. Move sensitive keys to the backend — Create server-side API routes (Supabase Edge Functions or a backend service) that hold your secrets and proxy requests
  3. Rotate compromised keys immediately — If keys were exposed in production, generate new ones in each service's dashboard and revoke the old ones
  4. Use Row Level Security — If using Supabase, configure RLS policies so even if the anon key is exposed, users can only access their own data
  5. Check your Git history — Even if you remove keys from code now, they may still be in previous commits. Consider the keys compromised if they were ever committed

Real developers can help you.

prajwalfullstack prajwalfullstack Hi Im a full stack developer, a vibe coded MVP to Market ready product, I'm here to help Caio Rodrigues Caio Rodrigues I'm a full-stack developer focused on building practical and scalable web applications. My main experience is with **React, TypeScript, and modern frontend architectures**, where I prioritize clean code, component reusability, and maintainable project structures. I have strong experience working with **dynamic forms, state management (Redux / React Hook Form), and complex data-driven interfaces**. I enjoy solving real-world problems by turning ideas into reliable software that companies can actually use in their daily operations. Beyond coding, I care about **software quality and architecture**, following best practices for componentization, code organization, and performance optimization. I'm also comfortable working across the stack when needed, integrating APIs, handling business logic, and helping transform prototypes into production-ready systems. My goal is always to deliver solutions that are **simple, efficient, and genuinely useful for the people using them.** Mehdi Ben Haddou Mehdi Ben Haddou - Founder of Chessigma (1M+ users) & many small projects - ex Founding Engineer @Uplane (YC F25) - ex Software Engineer @Amazon and @Booking.com Prakash Prajapati Prakash Prajapati I’m a Senior Python Developer specializing in building secure, scalable, and highly available systems. I work primarily with Python, Django, FastAPI, Docker, PostgreSQL, and modern AI tooling such as PydanticAI, focusing on clean architecture, strong design principles, and reliable DevOps practices. I enjoy solving complex engineering problems and designing systems that are maintainable, resilient, and built to scale. Milan Surelia Milan Surelia Milan Surelia is a Mobile App Developer with 5+ years of experience crafting scalable, cross-platform apps at 7Span and Meticha. At 7Span, he engineers feature-rich Flutter apps with smooth performance and modern UI. As the Co-Founder of Meticha, he builds open-source tools and developer-focused products that solve real-world problems. Expertise: 💡 Developing cross-platform apps using Flutter, Dart, and Jetpack Compose for Android, iOS, and Web. 🖋️ Sharing insights through technical writing, blogging, and open-source contributions. 🤝 Collaborating closely with designers, PMs, and developers to build seamless mobile experiences. Notable Achievements: 🎯 Revamped the Vepaar app into Vepaar Store & CRM with a 2x performance boost and smoother UX. 🚀 Launched Compose101 — a Jetpack Compose starter kit to speed up Android development. 🌟 Open source contributions on Github & StackOverflow for Flutter & Dart 🎖️ Worked on improving app performance and user experience with smart solutions. Milan is always happy to connect, work on new ideas, and explore the latest in technology. Alvin Voo Alvin Voo I’ve watched the tech landscape evolve over the last decade—from the structured days of Java Server Pages to the current "wild west" of Agentic-driven development. While AI can "vibe" a frontend into existence, I specialize in the architecture that keeps it from collapsing. My expertise lies in the critical backend infrastructure: the parts that must be fast, secure, and scalable. I thrive on high-pressure environments, such as when I had only three weeks to architect and launch an Ethereum redemption system with minimal prior crypto knowledge, turning it into a major revenue stream. What I bring to your project: Forensic Debugging: I don't just "patch" bugs; I use tools like Datadog and Explain Analyzers to map out bottlenecks and resolve root causes—like significantly reducing memory usage by optimizing complex DB joins. Full-Stack Context: Deep experience in Node.js and React, ensuring backends play perfectly with mobile and web teams. Sanity in the Age of AI: I bridge the gap between "best practices" and modern speed, ensuring your project isn't just built fast, but built to last. Franck Plazanet Franck Plazanet I am a Strategic Engineering Leader with over 8 years of experience building high-availability enterprise systems and scaling high-performing technical teams. My focus is on bridging the gap between complex technology and business growth. Core Expertise: 🚀 Leadership: Managing and coaching teams of 15+ engineers, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. 🏗️ Architecture: Enterprise Core Systems, Multi-system Integration (ERP/API/ETL), and Core Database Structure. ☁️ Cloud & Scale: AWS Expert; architected systems handling 10B+ monthly requests and managing 100k+ SKUs. 📈 Business Impact: Aligning tech strategy with P&L goals to drive $70k+ in monthly recurring revenue. I thrive on "out-of-the-box" thinking to solve complex technical bottlenecks and am always looking for ways to use automation to improve business productivity. Matt Butler Matt Butler Software Engineer @ AWS Luca Liberati Luca Liberati I work on monoliths and microservices, backends and frontends, manage K8s clusters and love to design apps architecture Victor Denisov Victor Denisov Developer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Supabase anon key safe to expose?

The Supabase anon key is designed to be public, but only when combined with proper Row Level Security (RLS) policies. Without RLS, anyone with the anon key can read and write all your data.

How do I know if my keys have been abused?

Check the usage dashboards for each service (Stripe, SendGrid, etc.). Look for unusual spikes in API calls, unexpected charges, or data you didn't create.

Related Lovable Issues

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