diff --git a/app/api/v1/router.py b/app/api/v1/router.py
index aa97ebe..cbc943b 100644
--- a/app/api/v1/router.py
+++ b/app/api/v1/router.py
@@ -13,9 +13,10 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
 
-from fastapi import APIRouter, HTTPException
+from fastapi import APIRouter, Depends, HTTPException
 from pydantic import BaseModel, Field
 
+from ...auth import resolve_account_id
 from ...db import get_connection
 from ...idempotency import idempotency_key
 from ...mapping import (
@@ -33,17 +34,20 @@ router = APIRouter(prefix="/v1", tags=["v1"])
 
 
 @router.post("/prezentari", response_model=PrezentariResponse)
-def create_prezentari(req: PrezentareRequest) -> PrezentariResponse:
+def create_prezentari(
+    req: PrezentareRequest,
+    account_id: int = Depends(resolve_account_id),
+) -> PrezentariResponse:
     """Enqueue una/mai multe prezentari. Idempotent: continut identic -> acelasi submission.
 
     Validarea de continut (T3, app.validation) ruleaza inainte de enqueue:
     esecurile NU resping cererea, ci enqueue-aza cu status `needs_data` + motiv
     (plan.md sect. 3). JSON malformat -> 422 din Pydantic (validare de shape).
-    TODO(auth): rezolva account_id din API key (acum None).
+    account_id vine din cheia API (resolve_account_id): cont real cu cheie,
+    implicit id=1 in dev fara cheie, 401 fara cheie valida in prod.
     Nota: rar_credentials NU se persista (zero-storage) — worker-ul le va primi
           pe alt canal (T2); in schelet enqueue-ul doar stocheaza prezentarea.
     """
-    account_id = None  # TODO(auth): din API key
     acct = account_or_default(account_id)
     conn = get_connection()
     results: list[SubmissionResult] = []
@@ -174,18 +178,21 @@ def get_mapari_pending() -> dict:
 
 
 class MapareIn(BaseModel):
-    account_id: int | None = None
     cod_op_service: str = Field(..., min_length=1)
     cod_prestatie: str = Field(..., min_length=1)
     auto_send: bool = True
 
 
 @router.post("/mapari")
-def create_mapare(req: MapareIn) -> dict:
+def create_mapare(
+    req: MapareIn,
+    account_id: int = Depends(resolve_account_id),
+) -> dict:
     """Salveaza/actualizeaza o mapare op->cod si re-rezolva submission-urile blocate.
 
-    Verifica intai ca `cod_prestatie` exista in nomenclator (nu lasam mapari catre
-    coduri inexistente). Apoi upsert + re-rezolvare automata a `needs_mapping`.
+    Contul vine din cheia API (NU din body) — un cont nu poate edita maparile
+    altuia. Verifica intai ca `cod_prestatie` exista in nomenclator (nu lasam
+    mapari catre coduri inexistente). Apoi upsert + re-rezolvare `needs_mapping`.
     """
     conn = get_connection()
     try:
@@ -195,8 +202,8 @@ def create_mapare(req: MapareIn) -> dict:
         ).fetchone()
         if not exists:
             raise HTTPException(status_code=422, detail=f"cod_prestatie '{cod}' nu exista in nomenclator")
-        save_mapping(conn, req.account_id, req.cod_op_service, cod, req.auto_send)
-        stats = reresolve_account(conn, req.account_id)
+        save_mapping(conn, account_id, req.cod_op_service, cod, req.auto_send)
+        stats = reresolve_account(conn, account_id)
         return {"saved": {"cod_op_service": req.cod_op_service.strip(), "cod_prestatie": cod}, "reresolve": stats}
     finally:
         conn.close()
diff --git a/app/auth.py b/app/auth.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..748da15
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/auth.py
@@ -0,0 +1,140 @@
+"""Autentificare API-key per cont (CORE securitate).
+
+Cheile API sunt separate de credentialele RAR: identifica CONTUL ROAAUTO care
+foloseste gateway-ul, nu utilizatorul RAR. Stocam doar SHA-256 al cheii (tabela
+`api_keys`), niciodata cheia in clar — emisa o singura data la creare.
+
+Enforcement controlat de `AUTOPASS_require_api_key`:
+  - True  (prod): orice /v1/* protejat cere cheie valida -> 401 fara/cu cheie gresita.
+  - False (dev/test): fara cheie -> cont implicit id=1 (back-compat); cheie prezenta
+    dar invalida -> tot 401 (o cheie gresita nu trebuie sa treaca tacit).
+
+Lifecycle (emitere/rotire/revocare) se face din CLI `python -m tools.apikey`
+(adminul ruleaza pe masina) — nicio suprafata HTTP de admin de securizat.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import hashlib
+import secrets
+import sqlite3
+
+from fastapi import Header, HTTPException
+
+from .config import get_settings
+from .db import get_connection
+from .mapping import DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_ID
+
+KEY_PREFIX = "rfak_"  # romfast autopass key
+
+
+def generate_key() -> str:
+    """Cheie noua in clar (emisa o singura data). `rfak_` + 43 caractere urlsafe."""
+    return KEY_PREFIX + secrets.token_urlsafe(32)
+
+
+def hash_key(plaintext: str) -> str:
+    """SHA-256 hex al cheii. Comparam mereu pe hash, niciodata pe clar."""
+    return hashlib.sha256(plaintext.strip().encode("utf-8")).hexdigest()
+
+
+def create_api_key(conn: sqlite3.Connection, account_id: int) -> str:
+    """Emite o cheie pentru cont, stocheaza hash-ul, intoarce cheia in clar.
+
+    Verifica intai ca exista contul (FK ON DELETE CASCADE nu raporteaza un cont
+    inexistent la INSERT decat ca eroare obscura). Intoarce cheia in clar — NU se
+    mai poate recupera ulterior.
+    """
+    acct = conn.execute("SELECT 1 FROM accounts WHERE id=?", (account_id,)).fetchone()
+    if not acct:
+        raise ValueError(f"cont inexistent: {account_id}")
+    plaintext = generate_key()
+    conn.execute(
+        "INSERT INTO api_keys (account_id, key_hash, active) VALUES (?, ?, 1)",
+        (account_id, hash_key(plaintext)),
+    )
+    return plaintext
+
+
+def revoke_api_key(conn: sqlite3.Connection, key_id: int) -> bool:
+    """Revoca o cheie (active=0 + revoked_at). Intoarce True daca a fost activa."""
+    cur = conn.execute(
+        "UPDATE api_keys SET active=0, revoked_at=datetime('now') WHERE id=? AND active=1",
+        (key_id,),
+    )
+    return cur.rowcount > 0
+
+
+def rotate_api_key(conn: sqlite3.Connection, account_id: int) -> str:
+    """Revoca toate cheile active ale contului si emite una noua. Intoarce cheia noua."""
+    conn.execute(
+        "UPDATE api_keys SET active=0, revoked_at=datetime('now') WHERE account_id=? AND active=1",
+        (account_id,),
+    )
+    return create_api_key(conn, account_id)
+
+
+def list_keys(conn: sqlite3.Connection, account_id: int | None = None) -> list[dict]:
+    """Metadate chei (FARA hash). Pentru CLI list."""
+    if account_id is not None:
+        rows = conn.execute(
+            "SELECT id, account_id, active, created_at, revoked_at FROM api_keys "
+            "WHERE account_id=? ORDER BY id",
+            (account_id,),
+        ).fetchall()
+    else:
+        rows = conn.execute(
+            "SELECT id, account_id, active, created_at, revoked_at FROM api_keys ORDER BY id"
+        ).fetchall()
+    return [dict(r) for r in rows]
+
+
+def account_for_key(conn: sqlite3.Connection, plaintext: str) -> int | None:
+    """account_id pentru o cheie activa, sau None daca lipseste/revocata."""
+    if not plaintext:
+        return None
+    row = conn.execute(
+        "SELECT account_id FROM api_keys WHERE key_hash=? AND active=1",
+        (hash_key(plaintext),),
+    ).fetchone()
+    return int(row["account_id"]) if row else None
+
+
+def _extract_key(x_api_key: str | None, authorization: str | None) -> str | None:
+    """Cheia din `X-API-Key` sau `Authorization: Bearer <key>` (prima are prioritate)."""
+    if x_api_key and x_api_key.strip():
+        return x_api_key.strip()
+    if authorization and authorization.strip():
+        parts = authorization.strip().split(None, 1)
+        if len(parts) == 2 and parts[0].lower() == "bearer":
+            return parts[1].strip()
+    return None
+
+
+def resolve_account_id(
+    x_api_key: str | None = Header(default=None, alias="X-API-Key"),
+    authorization: str | None = Header(default=None),
+) -> int:
+    """Dependency FastAPI: contul cererii din cheia API.
+
+    - cheie valida              -> account_id al cheii
+    - cheie invalida (prezenta) -> 401 (mereu, indiferent de flag)
+    - fara cheie + flag off      -> cont implicit (id=1), back-compat
+    - fara cheie + flag on        -> 401
+    """
+    settings = get_settings()
+    plaintext = _extract_key(x_api_key, authorization)
+
+    if plaintext is None:
+        if settings.require_api_key:
+            raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="cheie API lipsa")
+        return DEFAULT_ACCOUNT_ID
+
+    conn = get_connection()
+    try:
+        account_id = account_for_key(conn, plaintext)
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
+    if account_id is None:
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="cheie API invalida sau revocata")
+    return account_id
diff --git a/app/config.py b/app/config.py
index c74fbd4..a575065 100644
--- a/app/config.py
+++ b/app/config.py
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ class Settings(BaseSettings):
     # --- Bază de date ---
     db_path: Path = ROOT / "data" / "autopass.db"
 
+    # --- Securitate (CORE) ---
+    # Enforcement auth API-key pe /v1/* protejat. False (dev/test): fara cheie ->
+    # cont implicit id=1. True (prod): fara cheie valida -> 401. O cheie PREZENTA
+    # dar invalida da 401 indiferent de flag.
+    require_api_key: bool = False
+
     # --- RAR ---
     rar_env: str = "test"  # "test" | "prod"
     rar_base_url_test: str = "https://apps.rarom.ro/test-rar-autopass"
diff --git a/app/main.py b/app/main.py
index 9b7e654..81ed1f9 100644
--- a/app/main.py
+++ b/app/main.py
@@ -11,24 +11,41 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
 from datetime import datetime, timezone
 
-from fastapi import FastAPI
-from fastapi.responses import PlainTextResponse
+from fastapi import FastAPI, Request
+from fastapi.exceptions import RequestValidationError
+from fastapi.responses import JSONResponse, PlainTextResponse
 
 from . import __version__
 from .api.v1.router import router as api_v1_router
 from .config import get_settings
 from .db import get_connection, init_db, queue_depth, read_heartbeat
+from .security import install_log_redaction
 from .web.routes import router as web_router
 
 
 @asynccontextmanager
 async def lifespan(app: FastAPI):
+    install_log_redaction()
     init_db()
     yield
 
 
 app = FastAPI(title="Gateway RAR AUTOPASS", version=__version__, lifespan=lifespan)
 
+
+@app.exception_handler(RequestValidationError)
+async def validation_exception_handler(request: Request, exc: RequestValidationError) -> JSONResponse:
+    """422 fara echo de credentiale.
+
+    Pydantic include implicit `input` (+ uneori `ctx`) in fiecare eroare — pe
+    /v1/prezentari asta ar reflecta inapoi `rar_credentials.password`. Pastram
+    type/loc/msg (clientul stie ce camp e gresit) si DROP-am input/ctx. Defense
+    in depth pe TOATE rutele, nu doar prezentari.
+    """
+    cleaned = [{"type": e.get("type"), "loc": e.get("loc"), "msg": e.get("msg")} for e in exc.errors()]
+    return JSONResponse(status_code=422, content={"detail": cleaned})
+
+
 app.include_router(api_v1_router)
 app.include_router(web_router)
 
diff --git a/app/models.py b/app/models.py
index 5f874b9..d7b92cd 100644
--- a/app/models.py
+++ b/app/models.py
@@ -15,7 +15,8 @@ class RarCredentials(BaseModel):
     """Credentiale RAR per-cerere (vin de la ROAAUTO din Oracle). NU se stocheaza."""
 
     email: str
-    password: str
+    # repr=False: str(creds) / loguri care fac repr pe model NU expun parola.
+    password: str = Field(..., repr=False)
 
 
 class PrestatieItem(BaseModel):
diff --git a/app/security.py b/app/security.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..02d2a03
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/security.py
@@ -0,0 +1,124 @@
+"""Redactare credentiale (CORE securitate).
+
+Corpul lui POST /v1/prezentari contine `rar_credentials.password` (creds RAR
+per-cerere, zero-storage). Aceste valori NU trebuie sa apara NICIODATA in:
+  - raspunsuri de eroare (422 Pydantic echo-eaza `input` => parola) — vezi
+    `app.main.validation_exception_handler`;
+  - loguri / traceback-uri uvicorn — vezi `CredentialRedactingFilter`;
+  - repr-ul modelelor (str(creds)) — vezi `RarCredentials` (Field repr=False).
+
+Modulul e pur (fara DB/HTTP), unit-testabil direct.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+import re
+from typing import Any
+
+MASK = "***REDACTED***"
+
+# Chei al caror continut e secret oriunde apar (case-insensitive). `denumire`
+# etc. raman in clar — doar credentialele si token-urile se mascheaza.
+SENSITIVE_KEYS = frozenset(
+    {
+        "password",
+        "parola",
+        "pwd",
+        "pass",
+        "rar_credentials",
+        "credentials",
+        "token",
+        "jwt",
+        "authorization",
+        "api_key",
+        "apikey",
+        "x-api-key",
+        "secret",
+    }
+)
+
+
+def scrub(obj: Any) -> Any:
+    """Copie a structurii cu valorile cheilor sensibile mascate, recursiv.
+
+    Pentru `rar_credentials`/`credentials` masheaza intregul subarbore (nu doar
+    `password`) — un dict de creds e secret integral. Listele si dict-urile se
+    parcurg in adancime; scalarii trec neatinsi.
+    """
+    if isinstance(obj, dict):
+        out: dict = {}
+        for k, v in obj.items():
+            if isinstance(k, str) and k.lower() in SENSITIVE_KEYS:
+                out[k] = MASK
+            else:
+                out[k] = scrub(v)
+        return out
+    if isinstance(obj, (list, tuple)):
+        return [scrub(v) for v in obj]
+    return obj
+
+
+# Mascare in text liber (mesaje de log, traceback-uri formatate). Acopera formele
+# uzuale: JSON ("password": "x"), kwargs (password='x'), Bearer <token>.
+_TEXT_PATTERNS = [
+    # "password": "secret"  /  'password' : 'secret'  (JSON / dict repr)
+    re.compile(
+        r"""(?P<key>["']?(?:password|parola|pwd|pass|token|jwt|secret|api[_-]?key)["']?\s*[:=]\s*)"""
+        r"""(?P<q>["'])(?P<val>(?:\\.|[^"'\\])*)(?P=q)""",
+        re.IGNORECASE,
+    ),
+    # password=secret  (fara ghilimele, pana la separator)
+    re.compile(
+        r"""(?P<key>\b(?:password|parola|pwd|token|jwt|secret|api[_-]?key)\s*=\s*)(?P<val>[^\s,;&)}\]]+)""",
+        re.IGNORECASE,
+    ),
+    # Authorization: Bearer <token>  /  Bearer eyJ...
+    re.compile(r"""(?P<key>Bearer\s+)(?P<val>[A-Za-z0-9._\-]+)""", re.IGNORECASE),
+]
+
+
+def scrub_text(text: str) -> str:
+    """Masheaza credentiale dintr-un sir liber (loguri, traceback)."""
+    if not text:
+        return text
+    out = text
+    for pat in _TEXT_PATTERNS:
+        out = pat.sub(lambda m: m.group("key") + MASK, out)
+    return out
+
+
+class CredentialRedactingFilter(logging.Filter):
+    """Filtru de logging care masheaza credentiale din orice record emis.
+
+    Atasat pe root + logger-ele uvicorn (vezi `install_log_redaction`). Lucreaza
+    pe mesajul DEJA formatat (cu args interpolate), apoi goleste args ca
+    formatter-ul sa nu reinterpoleze. Tot ce trece prin logging e curatat;
+    parolele in variabile locale de traceback nu ajung in mesaj (Python nu
+    formateaza locals implicit), deci raman protejate.
+    """
+
+    def filter(self, record: logging.LogRecord) -> bool:
+        try:
+            msg = record.getMessage()
+        except Exception:
+            return True
+        scrubbed = scrub_text(msg)
+        if scrubbed != msg:
+            record.msg = scrubbed
+            record.args = ()
+        return True
+
+
+def install_log_redaction() -> None:
+    """Instaleaza filtrul de redactare pe root + logger-ele uvicorn (idempotent)."""
+    filt = CredentialRedactingFilter()
+    targets = [
+        logging.getLogger(),  # root
+        logging.getLogger("uvicorn"),
+        logging.getLogger("uvicorn.error"),
+        logging.getLogger("uvicorn.access"),
+    ]
+    for lg in targets:
+        if not any(isinstance(f, CredentialRedactingFilter) for f in lg.filters):
+            lg.addFilter(filt)
diff --git a/docs/plans/plan.md b/docs/plans/plan.md
index ba32c4a..f9d6948 100644
--- a/docs/plans/plan.md
+++ b/docs/plans/plan.md
@@ -207,6 +207,13 @@ Nimic din cod nu e scris încă (`app/`, `tools/` nu există). Ordine recomandat
   retry/backoff exponential (peste `worker_max_retries` → error+banner), re-login la token expirat. Rută monitorizare descoperită
   live: `GET /prezentari/getAllPrezentariFinalizate` → `data.content` (filtrele nu merg pe test → fetch tot, match client-side).
   Verify: 15 teste (`tests/test_worker_reconcile.py`) + validare LIVE (reconciliere record 68514 din finalizate reale).
+- [x] **Securitate CORE (P1)** ✅ 2026-06-15. `app/security.py` (redactare creds) + `app/auth.py` (API-key per cont) +
+  `tools/apikey.py` (CLI emitere/rotire/revocare). Redactare: handler `RequestValidationError` care DROP-ează
+  `input`/`ctx` din 422 (vectorul de scurgere a parolei pe `/v1/prezentari`), filtru logging `scrub_text` pe root+uvicorn,
+  `password` cu `repr=False` în model. Auth: hash SHA-256 în `api_keys` (cheia în clar emisă o singură dată), header
+  `X-API-Key` / `Authorization: Bearer`, enforcement pe flag `AUTOPASS_require_api_key` (prod on→401, dev off→cont default
+  id=1; cheie prezentă invalidă→401 mereu). `account_id` real curge din cheie în ingestie + mapare. Verify: 16 teste
+  (`tests/test_security.py`). **Rămas:** livrare creds per-cerere ROAAUTO→worker (zero-storage, ramășiță T2).
 - [ ] **T6 (P2) — worker proces/container propriu supravegheat;** `/healthz` pică → restart. Verify: worker omorât → restart automat.
 - [ ] **T7 (P2) — deploy:** SQLite pe volum persistent numit + backup (singura copie durabilă, re-push scos).
   Verify: recreare container → coada supraviețuiește.
diff --git a/tests/test_security.py b/tests/test_security.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ba4f911
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/test_security.py
@@ -0,0 +1,241 @@
+"""Teste CORE securitate: redactare creds (422/log/repr) + auth API-key."""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import logging
+import os
+import tempfile
+
+import pytest
+from fastapi.testclient import TestClient
+
+from app.security import (
+    MASK,
+    CredentialRedactingFilter,
+    scrub,
+    scrub_text,
+)
+
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+# Redactare — pur (scrub / scrub_text / repr)                                 #
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+
+def test_scrub_masks_password_keys():
+    data = {"email": "x@y.ro", "rar_credentials": {"email": "a", "password": "SECRET"}, "vin": "ABC"}
+    out = scrub(data)
+    assert out["rar_credentials"] == MASK  # subarbore creds mascat integral
+    assert out["vin"] == "ABC"             # date non-sensibile neatinse
+    assert "SECRET" not in repr(out)
+
+
+def test_scrub_nested_password_in_list():
+    data = {"items": [{"password": "p1"}, {"denumire": "ok"}]}
+    out = scrub(data)
+    assert out["items"][0]["password"] == MASK
+    assert out["items"][1]["denumire"] == "ok"
+
+
+def test_scrub_text_json_form():
+    s = '{"email": "x@y.ro", "password": "hunter2"}'
+    assert "hunter2" not in scrub_text(s)
+    assert MASK in scrub_text(s)
+
+
+def test_scrub_text_kwargs_and_bearer():
+    assert "topsecret" not in scrub_text("login password=topsecret done")
+    assert "eyJabc.def" not in scrub_text("Authorization: Bearer eyJabc.def")
+
+
+def test_scrub_text_keeps_innocent():
+    s = "submission 5 -> queued (vin=ABC123)"
+    assert scrub_text(s) == s
+
+
+def test_credentials_repr_hides_password():
+    from app.models import RarCredentials
+
+    c = RarCredentials(email="x@y.ro", password="hunter2")
+    assert "hunter2" not in repr(c)
+    assert c.password == "hunter2"  # valoarea ramane accesibila in cod
+
+
+def test_logging_filter_redacts(caplog):
+    logger = logging.getLogger("test.redact")
+    logger.addFilter(CredentialRedactingFilter())
+    with caplog.at_level(logging.INFO, logger="test.redact"):
+        logger.info('payload {"password": "hunter2"}')
+    assert "hunter2" not in caplog.text
+    assert MASK in caplog.text
+
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+# Integrare API — 422 fara echo creds + auth API-key                          #
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+
+@pytest.fixture()
+def env(monkeypatch):
+    tmp = tempfile.mkdtemp()
+    monkeypatch.setenv("AUTOPASS_DB_PATH", os.path.join(tmp, "t.db"))
+    from app.config import get_settings
+
+    get_settings.cache_clear()
+    yield monkeypatch
+    get_settings.cache_clear()
+
+
+def _client():
+    from app.main import app
+
+    return TestClient(app)
+
+
+def _body(**over):
+    prez = {
+        "vin": "WVWZZZ1KZAW000123",
+        "nr_inmatriculare": "B999TST",
+        "data_prestatie": "2026-06-15",
+        "odometru_final": "123456",
+        "prestatii": [{"cod_prestatie": "OE-1"}],
+    }
+    prez.update(over)
+    return {"rar_credentials": {"email": "x@y.ro", "password": "HUNTER2SECRET"}, "prezentari": [prez]}
+
+
+def test_422_does_not_echo_password(env):
+    with _client() as c:
+        # Lipseste odometru_final -> 422 de shape; parola NU trebuie sa apara in raspuns.
+        bad = _body()
+        del bad["prezentari"][0]["odometru_final"]
+        r = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=bad)
+    assert r.status_code == 422
+    assert "HUNTER2SECRET" not in r.text
+    # Pastram totusi info utila clientului (ce camp lipseste).
+    assert any("odometru_final" in str(e.get("loc")) for e in r.json()["detail"])
+    # input/ctx eliminate (vectorul de scurgere).
+    assert all("input" not in e for e in r.json()["detail"])
+
+
+def test_422_missing_credentials_no_leak(env):
+    with _client() as c:
+        bad = _body()
+        bad["rar_credentials"]["password"] = 12345  # tip gresit -> 422 cu input=parola
+        r = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=bad)
+    assert r.status_code == 422
+    assert "12345" not in r.text
+
+
+def test_dev_no_key_uses_default_account(env):
+    # Flag off (default): fara cheie -> cont implicit, merge ca inainte.
+    with _client() as c:
+        r = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=_body())
+    assert r.status_code == 200
+    assert r.json()["results"][0]["status"] == "queued"
+
+
+def test_prod_requires_key(env):
+    env.setenv("AUTOPASS_REQUIRE_API_KEY", "true")
+    from app.config import get_settings
+
+    get_settings.cache_clear()
+    with _client() as c:
+        r = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=_body())
+        assert r.status_code == 401
+        # Cu cheie valida emisa via lifecycle -> trece.
+        from app.auth import create_api_key
+        from app.db import get_connection
+
+        conn = get_connection()
+        try:
+            key = create_api_key(conn, 1)
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        r2 = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=_body(), headers={"X-API-Key": key})
+        assert r2.status_code == 200
+        assert r2.json()["results"][0]["status"] == "queued"
+
+
+def test_invalid_key_rejected_even_in_dev(env):
+    # Flag off, dar o cheie PREZENTA si gresita nu trebuie sa treaca tacit.
+    with _client() as c:
+        r = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=_body(), headers={"X-API-Key": "rfak_gresita"})
+    assert r.status_code == 401
+
+
+def test_bearer_header_accepted(env):
+    with _client() as c:
+        from app.auth import create_api_key
+        from app.db import get_connection
+
+        conn = get_connection()
+        try:
+            key = create_api_key(conn, 1)
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        r = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=_body(), headers={"Authorization": f"Bearer {key}"})
+    assert r.status_code == 200
+
+
+def test_key_account_routes_idempotency(env):
+    # Doua conturi, aceeasi prezentare -> submission-uri distincte (account_id in cheie).
+    with _client() as c:
+        from app.auth import create_api_key
+        from app.db import get_connection
+
+        conn = get_connection()
+        try:
+            conn.execute("INSERT INTO accounts (id, name) VALUES (2, 'al-doilea')")
+            k1 = create_api_key(conn, 1)
+            k2 = create_api_key(conn, 2)
+        finally:
+            conn.close()
+        r1 = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=_body(), headers={"X-API-Key": k1})
+        r2 = c.post("/v1/prezentari", json=_body(), headers={"X-API-Key": k2})
+        id1 = r1.json()["results"][0]["submission_id"]
+        res2 = r2.json()["results"][0]
+        assert res2["submission_id"] != id1
+        assert res2["deduped"] is False
+
+
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+# Lifecycle chei — create / rotate / revoke                                   #
+# --------------------------------------------------------------------------- #
+
+def test_key_lifecycle(env):
+    from app.auth import account_for_key, create_api_key, hash_key, revoke_api_key, rotate_api_key
+    from app.db import get_connection, init_db
+
+    init_db()
+    conn = get_connection()
+    try:
+        key = create_api_key(conn, 1)
+        assert key.startswith("rfak_")
+        assert account_for_key(conn, key) == 1
+
+        # Rotire: cheia veche moare, una noua o inlocuieste.
+        new_key = rotate_api_key(conn, 1)
+        assert account_for_key(conn, key) is None
+        assert account_for_key(conn, new_key) == 1
+
+        # Revocare directa dupa id.
+        kid = conn.execute(
+            "SELECT id FROM api_keys WHERE key_hash=?", (hash_key(new_key),)
+        ).fetchone()["id"]
+        assert revoke_api_key(conn, kid) is True
+        assert account_for_key(conn, new_key) is None
+        assert revoke_api_key(conn, kid) is False  # deja revocata
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
+
+
+def test_create_key_unknown_account(env):
+    from app.auth import create_api_key
+    from app.db import get_connection, init_db
+
+    init_db()
+    conn = get_connection()
+    try:
+        with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+            create_api_key(conn, 999)
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
diff --git a/tools/apikey.py b/tools/apikey.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0b770e5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/apikey.py
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""CLI lifecycle chei API (CORE securitate).
+
+Emitere/rotire/revocare/listare chei per cont. Adminul ruleaza pe masina gateway
+— nicio suprafata HTTP de admin. Cheia in clar se afiseaza O SINGURA DATA la
+creare/rotire; in DB traieste doar hash-ul SHA-256.
+
+Utilizare:
+    python -m tools.apikey create  --account 1
+    python -m tools.apikey rotate  --account 1
+    python -m tools.apikey revoke  --key-id 3
+    python -m tools.apikey list    [--account 1]
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import argparse
+import sys
+
+from app.auth import create_api_key, list_keys, revoke_api_key, rotate_api_key
+from app.db import get_connection, init_db
+
+
+def main(argv: list[str] | None = None) -> int:
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(description="Lifecycle chei API gateway RAR AUTOPASS")
+    sub = parser.add_subparsers(dest="cmd", required=True)
+
+    p_create = sub.add_parser("create", help="emite o cheie noua pentru cont")
+    p_create.add_argument("--account", type=int, required=True, help="account_id")
+
+    p_rotate = sub.add_parser("rotate", help="revoca cheile active ale contului + emite una noua")
+    p_rotate.add_argument("--account", type=int, required=True, help="account_id")
+
+    p_revoke = sub.add_parser("revoke", help="revoca o cheie dupa id")
+    p_revoke.add_argument("--key-id", type=int, required=True, help="api_keys.id")
+
+    p_list = sub.add_parser("list", help="listeaza chei (fara hash)")
+    p_list.add_argument("--account", type=int, default=None, help="filtreaza pe cont")
+
+    args = parser.parse_args(argv)
+
+    init_db()  # asigura schema (api_keys) + cont default
+    conn = get_connection()
+    try:
+        if args.cmd == "create":
+            try:
+                key = create_api_key(conn, args.account)
+            except ValueError as exc:
+                print(f"eroare: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
+                return 2
+            print(f"Cheie creata pentru cont {args.account} (pastreaz-o, nu se mai afiseaza):")
+            print(key)
+            return 0
+
+        if args.cmd == "rotate":
+            try:
+                key = rotate_api_key(conn, args.account)
+            except ValueError as exc:
+                print(f"eroare: {exc}", file=sys.stderr)
+                return 2
+            print(f"Chei vechi revocate. Cheie noua pentru cont {args.account}:")
+            print(key)
+            return 0
+
+        if args.cmd == "revoke":
+            ok = revoke_api_key(conn, args.key_id)
+            if ok:
+                print(f"Cheie {args.key_id} revocata.")
+                return 0
+            print(f"Cheie {args.key_id} inexistenta sau deja revocata.", file=sys.stderr)
+            return 1
+
+        if args.cmd == "list":
+            rows = list_keys(conn, args.account)
+            if not rows:
+                print("(nicio cheie)")
+                return 0
+            print(f"{'id':>4}  {'cont':>4}  {'activa':>6}  {'creata':<20}  revocata")
+            for r in rows:
+                print(
+                    f"{r['id']:>4}  {r['account_id']:>4}  {('da' if r['active'] else 'nu'):>6}  "
+                    f"{(r['created_at'] or ''):<20}  {r['revoked_at'] or ''}"
+                )
+            return 0
+    finally:
+        conn.close()
+    return 0
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    sys.exit(main())