diff --git a/app/api/missions/route.ts b/app/api/missions/route.ts
index eda71d63..46d91302 100644
--- a/app/api/missions/route.ts
+++ b/app/api/missions/route.ts
@@ -15,6 +15,17 @@ interface MissionUserInput {
 
 // Helper function to check authentication
 async function checkAuth(request: Request) {
+  // Check for API key first
+  const apiKey = request.headers.get('x-api-key');
+  console.log('Received API key:', apiKey);
+  console.log('Expected API key:', process.env.N8N_API_KEY);
+  console.log('API key match:', apiKey === process.env.N8N_API_KEY);
+  
+  if (apiKey === process.env.N8N_API_KEY) {
+    return { authorized: true, userId: 'system' };
+  }
+
+  // If no API key, check for session
   const session = await getServerSession(authOptions);
   if (!session?.user?.id) {
     console.error('Unauthorized access attempt:', {