diff --git a/apps/rowboat/app/actions/project_actions.ts b/apps/rowboat/app/actions/project_actions.ts
index 286d79c2..163501cf 100644
--- a/apps/rowboat/app/actions/project_actions.ts
+++ b/apps/rowboat/app/actions/project_actions.ts
@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@ export async function createProject(formData: FormData) {
         lastUpdatedAt: (new Date()).toISOString(),
     });
 
+    // add first api key
+    await createApiKey(projectId);
+
     redirect(`/projects/${projectId}/workflow`);
 }