diff --git a/rhodecode/lib/auth.py b/rhodecode/lib/auth.py
--- a/rhodecode/lib/auth.py
+++ b/rhodecode/lib/auth.py
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@ import bcrypt
 import random
 import logging
 import traceback
-
+import hashlib
+from tempfile import _RandomNameSequence
 from decorator import decorator
 
 from pylons import config, session, url, request
@@ -87,6 +88,12 @@ def get_crypt_password(password):
     """
     return bcrypt.hashpw(password, bcrypt.gensalt(10))
 
+def generate_api_key(username, salt=None):
+    if salt is None:
+        salt = _RandomNameSequence().next()
+
+    return hashlib.sha1(username + salt).hexdigest()
+
 def check_password(password, hashed):
     return bcrypt.hashpw(password, hashed) == hashed