APIKeyCatcher Local Secret Catcher

Catch API keys the moment they appear in clipboard or code, and store them encrypted locally.

Problem

Developers often accidentally paste API keys into chats, logs, or public repos, causing leaks. A similar tool is already being built, proving this is a frequent pain; existing solutions mostly rely on cloud scanning, but privacy-conscious developers want keys to stay entirely local.

Solution

A lightweight desktop tool that continuously monitors the clipboard and common file directories, using regex and entropy to detect suspected API keys; when found, it alerts immediately and lets users save the key encrypted to a local vault, plus one-click removal from source and replacement with environment variables.

Users

Indie developers, small-team DevRel, security engineers, and ops staff who often handle secrets.

MVP

Monitor clipboard in background and detect common API key patterns; pop system notification with suggested actions; store keys encrypted locally using system keychain; support manual adding and copying of keys; provide a CLI to scan current directory.

Revenue

Free base version + one-time purchase (e.g., $7) unlocking directory scanning, team sharing, and audit logs.

Why now

Remote collaboration and CI/CD increase key leak risks, yet developers distrust cloud-based scanners; a local-first lightweight tool is ideal for indie validation.