Rotate a provider key behind agent actions
Plan a credential rotation around destination bindings, pending approvals and provider read-back requirements.
Keeping the provider key outside the agent process reduces the places that need rotation. It does not remove the need to verify the replacement key's account, permissions and destination restrictions. The agent still requires its own Anlyon credential or authorized session.
For hosted actions, the secret reference belongs to the action definition and Anlyon resolves the provider credential at execution. No secret-read API returns the stored value. Use the supported secret-management path and avoid pasting keys into prompts, examples or incident records.
Inventory the dependency
List actions referencing the secret, their environments, provider accounts, required operations and verification reads. A replacement key that permits writing but not reading can impair outcome verification. For example, the documented Resend adapter needs a full-access key for its read-back.
Review pending approvals and unknown effects before revoking the old credential. Existing reconciliation may still require provider access. Coordinate the rotation with the operator responsible for unresolved outcomes.
Validate the replacement
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Correct provider account | A valid key can still belong to the wrong account |
| Intended live or test mode | Mode must match the configured adapter |
| Required write and read permissions | Execution and verification are separate capabilities |
| Allowed host and placement bindings | Credential custody must preserve destination restrictions |
| No agent-side copy | Alternate direct access changes the control boundary |
Exercise a controlled operation using the intended configuration. Verify the outcome evidence, not just authentication success. Keep provider test mode where supported and use explicit fixture targets elsewhere.
Observe pending work after rotation
Credential and destination availability are checked again at dispatch. A previously approved request may be refused if its credential no longer works or its binding changes. Explain that as a changed execution prerequisite rather than an approval failure.
Record the rotation time and affected secret name without recording the secret value. Revoke the replaced provider credential according to the provider's process once the intended transition is complete.
Use secret management, credential changes after approval and receipt interpretation.