diff --git a/ansible/kernos/.env.j2 b/ansible/kernos/.env.j2
index 74712e0..edd89a2 100644
--- a/ansible/kernos/.env.j2
+++ b/ansible/kernos/.env.j2
@@ -19,4 +19,9 @@ ENVIRONMENT={{ kernos_environment | default('production') }}
 # ============================================================================
 # Comma-separated whitelist of allowed commands
 # Commands after shell operators (;, &&, ||, |) are also validated
-ALLOW_COMMANDS={{ kernos_allow_commands }}
\ No newline at end of file
+ALLOW_COMMANDS={{ kernos_allow_commands }}
+
+# Optional API keys for authentication (comma-separated)
+# When set, all MCP requests require authentication
+# Leave empty to disable authentication
+API_KEYS={{ kernos_api_keys | default('') }}
diff --git a/docs/kernos.md b/docs/kernos.md
index a475d3d..efb8438 100644
--- a/docs/kernos.md
+++ b/docs/kernos.md
@@ -5,10 +5,11 @@ HTTP-enabled MCP shell server using FastMCP. Wraps the existing `mcp-shell-serve
 ## Features
 
 - **HTTP Transport**: Accessible via URL instead of stdio
+- **API Key Authentication**: Optional per-request authentication for MCP endpoints
 - **Health Endpoints**: `/live`, `/ready`, `/health` for Kubernetes-style probes
 - **Prometheus Metrics**: `/metrics` endpoint for monitoring
 - **JSON Structured Logging**: Production-ready log format with correlation IDs
-- **Full Security**: Command whitelisting inherited from `mcp-shell-server`
+- **Full Security**: Command whitelisting and API key authentication
 
 ## Endpoints
 
@@ -61,7 +62,8 @@ Deploys Kernos to caliban.incus:
 | `kernos_log_level` | Python log level |
 | `kernos_log_format` | Log format (`json` or `text`) |
 | `kernos_environment` | Environment name for logging |
-| `kernos_allow_commands` |Comma-separated command whitelist |
+| `kernos_allow_commands` | Comma-separated command whitelist |
+| `kernos_api_keys` | Comma-separated API keys for authentication (optional) |
 
 ### Global Variables (`ansible/inventory/group_vars/all/vars.yml`)
 
@@ -97,6 +99,82 @@ The systemd service includes additional hardening:
 - `ProtectHome=true`
 - `ReadWritePaths=/tmp`
 
+## Authentication
+
+Kernos supports optional API key authentication. When enabled, all MCP requests (tools, resources, prompts) must include a valid key. Health and metrics endpoints (`/live`, `/ready`, `/health`, `/metrics`) remain open for probes and monitoring.
+
+### Generating API Keys
+
+Generate a cryptographically secure key with:
+
+```bash
+# Using openssl (recommended)
+openssl rand -hex 32
+
+# Or using Python
+python3 -c "import secrets; print(secrets.token_hex(32))"
+```
+
+### Enabling Authentication
+
+Add API keys to your host variables in `ansible/inventory/host_vars/caliban.incus.yml`:
+
+```yaml
+# Single key
+kernos_api_keys: "a1b2c3d4e5f6..."
+
+# Multiple keys (comma-separated)
+kernos_api_keys: "key-for-alice,key-for-bob,key-for-ci-pipeline"
+```
+
+When `kernos_api_keys` is empty or unset, authentication is disabled (open access).
+
+### Sending the Key
+
+Clients authenticate via either header:
+
+| Header | Format |
+|--------|--------|
+| `Authorization` | `Bearer <key>` |
+| `X-Api-Key` | `<key>` |
+
+#### FastMCP Client
+
+```python
+from fastmcp import Client
+
+async with Client(
+    "http://caliban.incus:22021/mcp",
+    auth="your-api-key-here",
+) as client:
+    result = await client.call_tool("shell_execute", {"command": ["ls", "-la"]})
+```
+
+#### curl
+
+```bash
+# Using Authorization header
+curl -H "Authorization: Bearer your-api-key-here" http://caliban.incus:22021/mcp/
+
+# Using X-Api-Key header
+curl -H "X-Api-Key: your-api-key-here" http://caliban.incus:22021/mcp/
+```
+
+#### MCP client config (e.g. Claude Desktop, OpenAI)
+
+```json
+{
+  "mcpServers": {
+    "kernos": {
+      "url": "http://caliban.incus:22021/mcp/",
+      "headers": {
+        "Authorization": "Bearer your-api-key-here"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
 ## Usage
 
 ### Testing Health Endpoints
diff --git a/docs/ouranos.md b/docs/ouranos.md
index 4e7efc7..99b7cfb 100644
--- a/docs/ouranos.md
+++ b/docs/ouranos.md
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Each project has a number that is used to determine port numbers.
 - Gitea Runner (CI/CD agent)
 - Django Projects: Zelus (221), Angelia (222), Athena (224), Kairos (225), Icarlos (226), MCP Switchboard (227), Spelunker (228), Peitho (229), Mnemosyne (230)
 - FastAgent Projects: Pallas (240)
-- FastAPI Projects: Daedalus (200), Arke (201) Kernos (202), Stentor (203), Orpheus (204), Periplus (205), Nike (206)
+- FastAPI Projects: Daedalus (200), Arke (201) Kernos (202), Rommie (203), Orpheus (204), Periplus (205), Nike (206), Stentor (207)
 
 ### caliban — Agent Automation