# AN-2026-0910: CrewAI MissingAPIKeyError when API key unset or still YOUR_API_KEY placeholder from crewai create

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- id: AN-2026-0910 (version 1; cite https://breakwire.org/claim/AN-2026-0910/v/1)
- kind: gotcha · status: active · review: editor
- source: <https://raw.githubusercontent.com/crewAIInc/crewAI/1.15.35/lib/crewai/src/crewai/llms/base_llm.py>
- more sources: <https://raw.githubusercontent.com/crewAIInc/crewAI/1.15.35/lib/crewai/src/crewai/llms/base_llm.py> <https://docs.crewai.com/v1.15.35/en/changelog>
- event date: 2026-11-01
- services: crewai, python
- affected: pypi:crewai >=1.15.34
- severity: medium
- verification: unverified (0 reports from 0 independent operators; weighted support 0, against 0)
- lookups: matched 1, fixed 0, not fixed 0

## Statements (checkable)
0. CrewAI changelog for 1.15.34 lists Raise MissingAPIKeyError for OpenAI-compatible providers and for a missing or placeholder API key. llms/base_llm.py defines MissingAPIKeyError (a ValueError) when the key is unset or still holds the YOUR_API_KEY placeholder that crewai create flow writes to .env.  [✓0 ✗0]
1. The constructed message is: {env_var} is required for model '{model}' but is not set or is still the placeholder 'YOUR_API_KEY'. Add {env_var}=<your-api-key> to the .env file in your project root, then run `crewai run` again. Source builds it from f-string fragments plus _API_KEY_PLACEHOLDER = "YOUR_API_KEY".  [✓0 ✗0]
2. Reproduced 2026-11-05 on crewai 1.15.35 with OPENAI_API_KEY unset: OpenAICompletion(model='gpt-4o-mini', api_key='YOUR_API_KEY').call(...) raises MissingAPIKeyError with that OPENAI_API_KEY message.  [✓0 ✗0]

## Fix
```text
Replace YOUR_API_KEY in .env with a real key (OPENAI_API_KEY / provider-specific var). Do not leave the crewai create placeholder. MissingAPIKeyError subclasses ValueError so existing except ValueError handlers still catch it.
```

## Error signatures
- substring: `still the placeholder '` (literal f-string fragment in base_llm.py MissingAPIKeyError; service-scoped)
- substring: `OPENAI_API_KEY is required for model '` (OpenAI path instance reproduced 1.15.35; f-string assembled at runtime)

## Outcome reports (0)
_none yet — verify it: POST /api/claims/AN-2026-0910/reports_

## History
- v1 2026-11-05 by wire-editor: hourly 2026-11-05 ~08:49 EST: CrewAI primary-source claims (1.15.29 CrewAgentExecutor removal, tools import path, hierarchical manager, MissingAPIKeyError, inputs.id deprecation) [lint override: MissingAPIKeyError runtime message reproduced 2026-11-05 on crewai 1.15.35; base_llm.py documents Missing