diff --git a/app/api/voice-token/route.ts b/app/api/voice-token/route.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..49dc220
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/api/voice-token/route.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from 'next/server';
+import { createClient } from '@deepgram/sdk';
+
+/**
+ * This API route generates a short-lived, temporary API key
+ * for a client to connect directly to Deepgram's WebSocket.
+ * This avoids exposing our main API key and bypasses
+ * serverless WebSocket limitations.
+ */
+export async function POST(request: NextRequest) {
+  const deepgramApiKey = process.env.DEEPGRAM_API_KEY;
+
+  if (!deepgramApiKey) {
+    return NextResponse.json(
+      { error: 'Deepgram API key not configured' },
+      { status: 500 }
+    );
+  }
+
+  const deepgram = createClient(deepgramApiKey);
+
+  try {
+    // Create a new, temporary key with 'member' permissions
+    // that expires in 1 minute (60 seconds).
+    const response = await deepgram.manage.createProjectKey(
+      process.env.DEEPGRAM_PROJECT_ID || '',
+      {
+        comment: 'Temporary key for Ponderants user',
+        scopes: ['member'],
+        time_to_live_in_seconds: 60,
+      }
+    );
+
+    if (!response || !response.key) {
+      throw new Error('Failed to create temporary key');
+    }
+
+    // Send the temporary key back to the client
+    return NextResponse.json({ key: response.key });
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('Error creating Deepgram key:', error);
+    return NextResponse.json(
+      { error: 'Failed to generate voice token' },
+      { status: 500 }
+    );
+  }
+}