diff --git a/src/obsidian_rag/cli.py b/src/obsidian_rag/cli.py
index bcb5b3a..1723fdc 100644
--- a/src/obsidian_rag/cli.py
+++ b/src/obsidian_rag/cli.py
@@ -37,9 +37,13 @@
               help="Ollama API URL (only used with --provider ollama)")
 @click.option("--lmstudio-url", default=None,
               help="LM Studio API URL (only used with --provider lmstudio)")
+@click.option("--ollama-api-key", default=None,
+              help="Bearer token for Ollama (only used with --provider ollama)")
+@click.option("--lmstudio-api-key", default=None,
+              help="Bearer token for LM Studio (only used with --provider lmstudio)")
 @click.option("--model", default=None, help="Override embedding model name")
 @click.pass_context
-def main(ctx, vault, data, provider, ollama_url, lmstudio_url, model):
+def main(ctx, vault, data, provider, ollama_url, lmstudio_url, ollama_api_key, lmstudio_api_key, model):
     """Obsidian RAG - Semantic search for your Obsidian vault."""
     ctx.ensure_object(dict)
 
@@ -51,6 +55,8 @@ def main(ctx, vault, data, provider, ollama_url, lmstudio_url, model):
     ctx.obj["provider"] = provider or config.provider
     ctx.obj["ollama_url"] = ollama_url or config.ollama_url
     ctx.obj["lmstudio_url"] = lmstudio_url or config.lmstudio_url
+    ctx.obj["ollama_api_key"] = ollama_api_key or config.get_ollama_api_key()
+    ctx.obj["lmstudio_api_key"] = lmstudio_api_key or config.get_lmstudio_api_key()
     ctx.obj["model"] = model  # None means use provider default
     ctx.obj["config"] = config
 
@@ -105,16 +111,20 @@ def setup():
         )
         config.ollama_url = ollama_url
         
+        # Optional Bearer token
+        if click.confirm("\nDoes your Ollama instance require a Bearer token?", default=False):
+            config.ollama_api_key = click.prompt("Enter Bearer token", hide_input=False)
+
         # Verify connection and get available models
         click.echo("Checking Ollama server...", nl=False)
-        server_running = is_ollama_running(ollama_url)
+        server_running = is_ollama_running(ollama_url, api_key=config.ollama_api_key)
         
         if server_running:
             click.echo(" ✓ connected")
             
             # Fetch available embedding models
             click.echo("Fetching available embedding models...", nl=False)
-            available_models = get_ollama_models(ollama_url)
+            available_models = get_ollama_models(ollama_url, api_key=config.ollama_api_key)
             
             if available_models:
                 click.echo(f" found {len(available_models)}")
@@ -149,16 +159,20 @@ def setup():
         )
         config.lmstudio_url = lmstudio_url
         
+        # Optional Bearer token
+        if click.confirm("\nDoes your LM Studio instance require a Bearer token?", default=False):
+            config.lmstudio_api_key = click.prompt("Enter Bearer token", hide_input=False)
+
         # Verify connection and get available models
         click.echo("Checking LM Studio server...", nl=False)
-        server_running = is_lmstudio_running(lmstudio_url)
+        server_running = is_lmstudio_running(lmstudio_url, api_key=config.lmstudio_api_key)
         
         if server_running:
             click.echo(" ✓ connected")
             
             # Fetch available embedding models
             click.echo("Fetching available embedding models...", nl=False)
-            available_models = get_lmstudio_models(lmstudio_url)
+            available_models = get_lmstudio_models(lmstudio_url, api_key=config.lmstudio_api_key)
             
             if available_models:
                 click.echo(f" found {len(available_models)}")
@@ -226,13 +240,15 @@ def setup():
                 embedder = create_embedder(
                     provider="ollama",
                     model=config.ollama_model,
-                    base_url=config.ollama_url
+                    base_url=config.ollama_url,
+                    api_key=config.get_ollama_api_key(),
                 )
             else:  # lmstudio
                 embedder = create_embedder(
                     provider="lmstudio",
                     model=config.lmstudio_model,
-                    base_url=config.lmstudio_url
+                    base_url=config.lmstudio_url,
+                    api_key=config.get_lmstudio_api_key(),
                 )
 
             store = VectorStore(data_path=config.get_data_path())
@@ -291,7 +307,9 @@ def setup():
                     config.data_path or str(get_data_dir()),
                     config.provider,
                     config.ollama_url,
-                    None  # model
+                    None,  # model
+                    config.get_ollama_api_key(),
+                    config.get_lmstudio_api_key(),
                 )
                 plist_path.write_text(plist_content)
 
@@ -327,6 +345,8 @@ def index(ctx, clear, path_filter):
     provider = ctx.obj["provider"]
     ollama_url = ctx.obj["ollama_url"]
     lmstudio_url = ctx.obj["lmstudio_url"]
+    ollama_api_key = ctx.obj["ollama_api_key"]
+    lmstudio_api_key = ctx.obj["lmstudio_api_key"]
     config = ctx.obj["config"]
 
     # Get model from CLI override or config file based on provider
@@ -344,16 +364,19 @@ def index(ctx, clear, path_filter):
     click.echo(f"Provider: {provider}")
     click.echo(f"Model: {model}")
 
-    # Determine the correct base_url based on provider
+    # Determine the correct base_url and api_key based on provider
     if provider == "ollama":
         base_url = ollama_url
+        api_key = ollama_api_key
     elif provider == "lmstudio":
         base_url = lmstudio_url
+        api_key = lmstudio_api_key
     else:
         base_url = None
+        api_key = None
 
     # Initialize components
-    embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url)
+    embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url, api_key=api_key)
     store = VectorStore(data_path=data_path)
     indexer = VaultIndexer(vault_path=vault_path, embedder=embedder, config=config.indexer)
 
@@ -413,6 +436,8 @@ def search(ctx, query, limit, note_type):
     provider = ctx.obj["provider"]
     ollama_url = ctx.obj["ollama_url"]
     lmstudio_url = ctx.obj["lmstudio_url"]
+    ollama_api_key = ctx.obj["ollama_api_key"]
+    lmstudio_api_key = ctx.obj["lmstudio_api_key"]
     config = ctx.obj["config"]
 
     # Get model from CLI override or config file based on provider
@@ -425,16 +450,19 @@ def search(ctx, query, limit, note_type):
         elif provider == "lmstudio":
             model = config.lmstudio_model
 
-    # Determine the correct base_url based on provider
+    # Determine the correct base_url and api_key based on provider
     if provider == "ollama":
         base_url = ollama_url
+        api_key = ollama_api_key
     elif provider == "lmstudio":
         base_url = lmstudio_url
+        api_key = lmstudio_api_key
     else:
         base_url = None
+        api_key = None
 
     # Initialize components
-    embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url)
+    embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url, api_key=api_key)
     store = VectorStore(data_path=data_path)
 
     # Generate query embedding
@@ -486,6 +514,8 @@ def similar(ctx, note_path, limit):
     provider = ctx.obj["provider"]
     ollama_url = ctx.obj["ollama_url"]
     lmstudio_url = ctx.obj["lmstudio_url"]
+    ollama_api_key = ctx.obj["ollama_api_key"]
+    lmstudio_api_key = ctx.obj["lmstudio_api_key"]
     config = ctx.obj["config"]
 
     model = ctx.obj["model"]
@@ -499,12 +529,15 @@ def similar(ctx, note_path, limit):
 
     if provider == "ollama":
         base_url = ollama_url
+        api_key = ollama_api_key
     elif provider == "lmstudio":
         base_url = lmstudio_url
+        api_key = lmstudio_api_key
     else:
         base_url = None
+        api_key = None
 
-    embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url)
+    embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url, api_key=api_key)
     store = VectorStore(data_path=data_path)
 
     click.echo(f"Finding notes similar to: {note_path}\n")
@@ -552,6 +585,8 @@ def context(ctx, note_path, limit):
     provider = ctx.obj["provider"]
     ollama_url = ctx.obj["ollama_url"]
     lmstudio_url = ctx.obj["lmstudio_url"]
+    ollama_api_key = ctx.obj["ollama_api_key"]
+    lmstudio_api_key = ctx.obj["lmstudio_api_key"]
     config = ctx.obj["config"]
 
     model = ctx.obj["model"]
@@ -565,12 +600,15 @@ def context(ctx, note_path, limit):
 
     if provider == "ollama":
         base_url = ollama_url
+        api_key = ollama_api_key
     elif provider == "lmstudio":
         base_url = lmstudio_url
+        api_key = lmstudio_api_key
     else:
         base_url = None
+        api_key = None
 
-    embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url)
+    embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url, api_key=api_key)
     store = VectorStore(data_path=data_path)
 
     click.echo(f"Getting context for: {note_path}\n")
@@ -634,6 +672,8 @@ def watch(ctx, debounce):
     provider = ctx.obj["provider"]
     ollama_url = ctx.obj["ollama_url"]
     lmstudio_url = ctx.obj["lmstudio_url"]
+    ollama_api_key = ctx.obj["ollama_api_key"]
+    lmstudio_api_key = ctx.obj["lmstudio_api_key"]
     model = ctx.obj["model"]
 
     click.echo(f"Watching vault: {vault_path}")
@@ -648,6 +688,8 @@ def watch(ctx, debounce):
         provider=provider,
         ollama_url=ollama_url,
         lmstudio_url=lmstudio_url,
+        ollama_api_key=ollama_api_key,
+        lmstudio_api_key=lmstudio_api_key,
         model=model,
         debounce_delay=debounce,
     )
@@ -698,7 +740,7 @@ def _uninstall_wrapper_script():
         wrapper_path.unlink()
 
 
-def _get_plist_content(vault_path: str, data_path: str, provider: str, ollama_url: str, model: str | None) -> str:
+def _get_plist_content(vault_path: str, data_path: str, provider: str, ollama_url: str, model: str | None, ollama_api_key: str | None = None, lmstudio_api_key: str | None = None) -> str:
     """Generate launchd plist content."""
     # Use wrapper script for better System Settings appearance
     wrapper_path = WRAPPER_SCRIPT_DIR / WRAPPER_SCRIPT_NAME
@@ -715,6 +757,14 @@ def _get_plist_content(vault_path: str, data_path: str, provider: str, ollama_ur
         env_vars += f"""
         <key>OBSIDIAN_RAG_OLLAMA_URL</key>
         <string>{ollama_url}</string>"""
+        if ollama_api_key:
+            env_vars += f"""
+        <key>OBSIDIAN_RAG_OLLAMA_API_KEY</key>
+        <string>{ollama_api_key}</string>"""
+    elif provider == "lmstudio" and lmstudio_api_key:
+        env_vars += f"""
+        <key>OBSIDIAN_RAG_LMSTUDIO_API_KEY</key>
+        <string>{lmstudio_api_key}</string>"""
 
     if model:
         env_vars += f"""
@@ -765,6 +815,8 @@ def install_service(ctx):
     data_path = ctx.obj["data"]
     provider = ctx.obj["provider"]
     ollama_url = ctx.obj["ollama_url"]
+    ollama_api_key = ctx.obj["ollama_api_key"]
+    lmstudio_api_key = ctx.obj["lmstudio_api_key"]
     model = ctx.obj["model"]
 
     plist_path = LAUNCH_AGENTS_DIR / PLIST_NAME
@@ -783,7 +835,7 @@ def install_service(ctx):
     click.echo(f"Created: {wrapper_path}")
 
     # Write plist
-    plist_content = _get_plist_content(vault_path, data_path, provider, ollama_url, model)
+    plist_content = _get_plist_content(vault_path, data_path, provider, ollama_url, model, ollama_api_key, lmstudio_api_key)
     plist_path.write_text(plist_content)
     click.echo(f"Created: {plist_path}")
 
diff --git a/src/obsidian_rag/config.py b/src/obsidian_rag/config.py
index 1de8756..231865c 100644
--- a/src/obsidian_rag/config.py
+++ b/src/obsidian_rag/config.py
@@ -80,10 +80,12 @@ class Config:
     # Ollama settings
     ollama_url: str = "http://localhost:11434"
     ollama_model: str = "nomic-embed-text"
+    ollama_api_key: Optional[str] = None  # Bearer token for protected Ollama instances
 
     # LM Studio settings
     lmstudio_url: str = "http://localhost:1234"
     lmstudio_model: str = "text-embedding-nomic-embed-text-v1.5"
+    lmstudio_api_key: Optional[str] = None  # Bearer token for protected LM Studio instances
 
     # OpenAI model (optional override)
     openai_model: str = "text-embedding-3-small"
@@ -97,6 +99,14 @@ def get_openai_api_key(self) -> Optional[str]:
         """Get OpenAI API key from config or environment."""
         return self.openai_api_key or os.environ.get("OPENAI_API_KEY")
 
+    def get_ollama_api_key(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Get Ollama Bearer token from config or environment."""
+        return self.ollama_api_key or os.environ.get("OBSIDIAN_RAG_OLLAMA_API_KEY")
+
+    def get_lmstudio_api_key(self) -> Optional[str]:
+        """Get LM Studio Bearer token from config or environment."""
+        return self.lmstudio_api_key or os.environ.get("OBSIDIAN_RAG_LMSTUDIO_API_KEY")
+
 
 def load_config() -> Config:
     """Load configuration from file with environment variable overrides.
@@ -130,11 +140,13 @@ def load_config() -> Config:
             if "ollama" in data:
                 config.ollama_url = data["ollama"].get("url", config.ollama_url)
                 config.ollama_model = data["ollama"].get("model", config.ollama_model)
+                config.ollama_api_key = data["ollama"].get("api_key", config.ollama_api_key)
 
             # LM Studio settings
             if "lmstudio" in data:
                 config.lmstudio_url = data["lmstudio"].get("url", config.lmstudio_url)
                 config.lmstudio_model = data["lmstudio"].get("model", config.lmstudio_model)
+                config.lmstudio_api_key = data["lmstudio"].get("api_key", config.lmstudio_api_key)
 
             # Indexer settings
             if "indexer" in data:
@@ -154,6 +166,11 @@ def load_config() -> Config:
         config.ollama_url = os.environ["OBSIDIAN_RAG_OLLAMA_URL"]
     if os.environ.get("OBSIDIAN_RAG_LMSTUDIO_URL"):
         config.lmstudio_url = os.environ["OBSIDIAN_RAG_LMSTUDIO_URL"]
+    # Bearer token overrides for local providers
+    if os.environ.get("OBSIDIAN_RAG_OLLAMA_API_KEY"):
+        config.ollama_api_key = os.environ["OBSIDIAN_RAG_OLLAMA_API_KEY"]
+    if os.environ.get("OBSIDIAN_RAG_LMSTUDIO_API_KEY"):
+        config.lmstudio_api_key = os.environ["OBSIDIAN_RAG_LMSTUDIO_API_KEY"]
     if os.environ.get("OBSIDIAN_RAG_MODEL"):
         if config.provider == "ollama":
             config.ollama_model = os.environ["OBSIDIAN_RAG_MODEL"]
@@ -200,6 +217,8 @@ def save_config(config: Config) -> Path:
             ollama_section["url"] = config.ollama_url
         if config.ollama_model != "nomic-embed-text":
             ollama_section["model"] = config.ollama_model
+        if config.ollama_api_key:
+            ollama_section["api_key"] = config.ollama_api_key
         if ollama_section:
             data["ollama"] = ollama_section
 
@@ -210,6 +229,8 @@ def save_config(config: Config) -> Path:
             lmstudio_section["url"] = config.lmstudio_url
         if config.lmstudio_model != "text-embedding-nomic-embed-text-v1.5":
             lmstudio_section["model"] = config.lmstudio_model
+        if config.lmstudio_api_key:
+            lmstudio_section["api_key"] = config.lmstudio_api_key
         if lmstudio_section:
             data["lmstudio"] = lmstudio_section
 
diff --git a/src/obsidian_rag/indexer.py b/src/obsidian_rag/indexer.py
index a4c01f0..1783d8e 100644
--- a/src/obsidian_rag/indexer.py
+++ b/src/obsidian_rag/indexer.py
@@ -352,11 +352,15 @@ class OllamaEmbedder:
     def __init__(
         self,
         base_url: str = "http://localhost:11434",
-        model: str = "nomic-embed-text"
+        model: str = "nomic-embed-text",
+        api_key: Optional[str] = None,
     ):
         self.base_url = base_url
         self.model = model
-        self.client = httpx.Client(timeout=60.0)
+        headers = {}
+        if api_key:
+            headers["Authorization"] = f"Bearer {api_key}"
+        self.client = httpx.Client(timeout=60.0, headers=headers)
 
     def _get_prefix(self, task_type: str) -> str:
         """Get task-specific prefix for models that support them."""
@@ -393,11 +397,15 @@ class LMStudioEmbedder:
     def __init__(
         self,
         base_url: str = "http://localhost:1234",
-        model: str = "text-embedding-nomic-embed-text-v1.5"
+        model: str = "text-embedding-nomic-embed-text-v1.5",
+        api_key: Optional[str] = None,
     ):
         self.base_url = base_url.rstrip("/")
         self.model = model
-        self.client = httpx.Client(timeout=60.0)
+        headers = {}
+        if api_key:
+            headers["Authorization"] = f"Bearer {api_key}"
+        self.client = httpx.Client(timeout=60.0, headers=headers)
 
     def _get_prefix(self, task_type: str) -> str:
         model = self.model.lower()
@@ -435,31 +443,34 @@ def close(self):
         self.client.close()
 
 
-def is_lmstudio_running(base_url: str = "http://localhost:1234") -> bool:
+def is_lmstudio_running(base_url: str = "http://localhost:1234", api_key: Optional[str] = None) -> bool:
     """Check if LM Studio server is running."""
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"} if api_key else {}
     try:
-        with httpx.Client(timeout=2.0) as client:
+        with httpx.Client(timeout=2.0, headers=headers) as client:
             response = client.get(f"{base_url.rstrip('/')}/v1/models")
-            return response.status_code == 200
+            return response.status_code in (200, 401)  # 401 = server up but wrong key
     except (httpx.RequestError, httpx.TimeoutException):
         return False
 
 
-def is_ollama_running(base_url: str = "http://localhost:11434") -> bool:
+def is_ollama_running(base_url: str = "http://localhost:11434", api_key: Optional[str] = None) -> bool:
     """Check if Ollama server is running."""
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"} if api_key else {}
     try:
-        with httpx.Client(timeout=2.0) as client:
+        with httpx.Client(timeout=2.0, headers=headers) as client:
             response = client.get(f"{base_url.rstrip('/')}/api/tags")
-            return response.status_code == 200
+            return response.status_code in (200, 401)
     except (httpx.RequestError, httpx.TimeoutException):
         return False
 
 
-def get_lmstudio_models(base_url: str = "http://localhost:1234") -> List[str]:
+def get_lmstudio_models(base_url: str = "http://localhost:1234", api_key: Optional[str] = None) -> List[str]:
     """Get list of available embedding models from LM Studio."""
     embedding_keywords = ['embed', 'bge', 'minilm', 'e5', 'gte', 'instructor']
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"} if api_key else {}
     try:
-        with httpx.Client(timeout=5.0) as client:
+        with httpx.Client(timeout=5.0, headers=headers) as client:
             response = client.get(f"{base_url.rstrip('/')}/v1/models")
             if response.status_code != 200:
                 return []
@@ -474,11 +485,12 @@ def get_lmstudio_models(base_url: str = "http://localhost:1234") -> List[str]:
         return []
 
 
-def get_ollama_models(base_url: str = "http://localhost:11434") -> List[str]:
+def get_ollama_models(base_url: str = "http://localhost:11434", api_key: Optional[str] = None) -> List[str]:
     """Get list of available embedding models from Ollama."""
     embedding_keywords = ['embed', 'bge', 'minilm', 'e5', 'gte', 'instructor', 'nomic']
+    headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"} if api_key else {}
     try:
-        with httpx.Client(timeout=5.0) as client:
+        with httpx.Client(timeout=5.0, headers=headers) as client:
             response = client.get(f"{base_url.rstrip('/')}/api/tags")
             if response.status_code != 200:
                 return []
@@ -500,6 +512,7 @@ def create_embedder(
     provider: str = "openai",
     model: Optional[str] = None,
     base_url: Optional[str] = None,
+    api_key: Optional[str] = None,
 ) -> Embedder:
     """Create an embedder instance for the specified provider."""
     if provider == "openai":
@@ -513,6 +526,8 @@ def create_embedder(
             kwargs["model"] = model
         if base_url:
             kwargs["base_url"] = base_url
+        if api_key:
+            kwargs["api_key"] = api_key
         return OllamaEmbedder(**kwargs)
     elif provider == "lmstudio":
         kwargs = {}
@@ -520,6 +535,8 @@ def create_embedder(
             kwargs["model"] = model
         if base_url:
             kwargs["base_url"] = base_url
+        if api_key:
+            kwargs["api_key"] = api_key
         return LMStudioEmbedder(**kwargs)
     else:
         raise ValueError(f"Unknown provider: {provider}. Use 'openai', 'ollama', or 'lmstudio'.")
diff --git a/src/obsidian_rag/server.py b/src/obsidian_rag/server.py
index eb7c168..ee3494d 100644
--- a/src/obsidian_rag/server.py
+++ b/src/obsidian_rag/server.py
@@ -37,21 +37,25 @@ def get_embedder() -> Embedder:
         if config.provider == "openai" and config.openai_api_key:
             os.environ["OPENAI_API_KEY"] = config.openai_api_key
         
-        # Determine model and base_url based on provider
+        # Determine model, base_url and api_key based on provider
         if config.provider == "openai":
             model = config.openai_model
             base_url = None
+            api_key = config.get_openai_api_key()
         elif config.provider == "ollama":
             model = config.ollama_model
             base_url = config.ollama_url
+            api_key = config.get_ollama_api_key()
         else:  # lmstudio
             model = config.lmstudio_model
             base_url = config.lmstudio_url
-        
+            api_key = config.get_lmstudio_api_key()
+
         _embedder = create_embedder(
             provider=config.provider,
             model=model,
             base_url=base_url,
+            api_key=api_key,
         )
     return _embedder
 
diff --git a/src/obsidian_rag/watcher.py b/src/obsidian_rag/watcher.py
index a44f9f8..1799cfc 100644
--- a/src/obsidian_rag/watcher.py
+++ b/src/obsidian_rag/watcher.py
@@ -44,6 +44,8 @@
 DEFAULT_PROVIDER = _config.provider
 DEFAULT_OLLAMA_URL = _config.ollama_url
 DEFAULT_LMSTUDIO_URL = _config.lmstudio_url
+DEFAULT_OLLAMA_API_KEY: Optional[str] = _config.get_ollama_api_key()
+DEFAULT_LMSTUDIO_API_KEY: Optional[str] = _config.get_lmstudio_api_key()
 DEFAULT_MODEL: Optional[str] = None  # Use provider default
 DEFAULT_DEBOUNCE = float(os.environ.get("OBSIDIAN_RAG_DEBOUNCE", "2.0"))
 
@@ -326,6 +328,8 @@ def __init__(
         provider: str = DEFAULT_PROVIDER,
         ollama_url: str = DEFAULT_OLLAMA_URL,
         lmstudio_url: str = DEFAULT_LMSTUDIO_URL,
+        ollama_api_key: Optional[str] = DEFAULT_OLLAMA_API_KEY,
+        lmstudio_api_key: Optional[str] = DEFAULT_LMSTUDIO_API_KEY,
         model: Optional[str] = DEFAULT_MODEL,
         debounce_delay: float = DEFAULT_DEBOUNCE,
     ):
@@ -337,9 +341,10 @@ def __init__(
         if provider == "openai" and _config.openai_api_key:
             os.environ["OPENAI_API_KEY"] = _config.openai_api_key
 
-        # Determine correct base_url based on provider
+        # Determine correct base_url and api_key based on provider
         if provider == "ollama":
             base_url = ollama_url
+            api_key = ollama_api_key
             # Health check for Ollama before starting
             if not check_ollama_health(ollama_url):
                 logger.warning("Ollama is not running! Waiting for it to start...")
@@ -347,10 +352,12 @@ def __init__(
                 self._wait_for_ollama(ollama_url)
         elif provider == "lmstudio":
             base_url = lmstudio_url
+            api_key = lmstudio_api_key
         else:
             base_url = None
+            api_key = None
 
-        self.embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url)
+        self.embedder = create_embedder(provider=provider, model=model, base_url=base_url, api_key=api_key)
         self.store = VectorStore(data_path=data_path)
         self.debounce_delay = debounce_delay
         self.retry_queue = RetryQueue()
@@ -508,6 +515,8 @@ def run_watcher(
     provider: str = DEFAULT_PROVIDER,
     ollama_url: str = DEFAULT_OLLAMA_URL,
     lmstudio_url: str = DEFAULT_LMSTUDIO_URL,
+    ollama_api_key: Optional[str] = DEFAULT_OLLAMA_API_KEY,
+    lmstudio_api_key: Optional[str] = DEFAULT_LMSTUDIO_API_KEY,
     model: Optional[str] = DEFAULT_MODEL,
     debounce: float = DEFAULT_DEBOUNCE,
 ):
@@ -524,6 +533,8 @@ def run_watcher(
         provider=provider,
         ollama_url=ollama_url,
         lmstudio_url=lmstudio_url,
+        ollama_api_key=ollama_api_key,
+        lmstudio_api_key=lmstudio_api_key,
         model=model,
         debounce_delay=debounce,
     )