# Trello Authentication Update

## What Changed (January 2026)

Trello moved from the simple app-key page to a Power-Up based API key system.

### Old Process (Deprecated)
- Go to https://trello.com/app-key
- API key shown at top of page
- Click "Token" link to generate token

### New Process (Current)
1. Go to https://trello.com/power-ups/admin
2. Create a Power-Up (any name, e.g., "Personal Dashboard")
3. Go to the Power-Up's **"API Key"** tab
4. Click **"Generate a new API Key"**
5. Copy the **API Key** (NOT the Secret - you won't use that!)
6. In the description below the API Key, find the "testing/for-yourself" instructions
7. Click the **"Token"** link in those instructions
8. Click **"Allow"** to authorize
9. Copy the token

**Important Note:**
- The API Key tab shows both an **API Key** and a **Secret**
- For personal use, you need: **API Key + Token** (NOT Secret)
- The Secret is only used for OAuth applications, not personal access
- Follow the "testing" or "for-yourself" instructions to generate your token

## What Stayed the Same

### Authentication Method
The actual API authentication hasn't changed:
- Still uses API Key + Token
- Still passed as query parameters: `?key=XXX&token=YYY`
- No code changes needed in `internal/api/trello.go`

### API Endpoints
All Trello API endpoints remain the same:
- Base URL: `https://api.trello.com/1`
- `/members/me/boards` - Get user boards
- `/boards/{id}/cards` - Get board cards
- `/boards/{id}/lists` - Get board lists

## Code Impact

✅ **No code changes required**

The application code already uses the correct authentication method. Only documentation needed updates.

## Documentation Updated

All documentation has been updated to reflect the new process:
- ✅ `.env.example` - Updated instructions
- ✅ `START_HERE.md` - Updated quick start
- ✅ `QUICKSTART.md` - Updated 5-min guide
- ✅ `README.md` - Updated installation steps
- ✅ `SETUP_GUIDE.md` - Updated detailed setup and troubleshooting
- ✅ `PROJECT_SUMMARY.md` - Updated quick reference
- ✅ `CLAUDE.md` - Updated for Claude Code instances

## References

- New Power-Up Admin Portal: https://trello.com/power-ups/admin
- Trello REST API Docs: https://developer.atlassian.com/cloud/trello/rest/
- Authorization Guide: https://developer.atlassian.com/cloud/trello/guides/rest-api/authorization/

## Testing

Authentication works the same way. Test with:
```bash
curl "https://api.trello.com/1/members/me/boards?key=YOUR_KEY&token=YOUR_TOKEN"
```

Should return JSON array of your boards. A 401 error means invalid credentials.

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**Last Updated:** January 12, 2026