diff --git a/packages/mcp-server/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/mcp-server/CHANGELOG.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9346b6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/mcp-server/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# Changelog
+
+## 0.1.1 - 2026-05-14
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Forward `ATOMICMEMORY_API_KEY` to the SDK provider so MCP clients can authenticate against protected AtomicMemory core deployments.
+
+## 0.1.0 - 2026-05-14
+
+### Added
+
+- Initial public release of the AtomicMemory MCP server.
diff --git a/packages/mcp-server/package.json b/packages/mcp-server/package.json
index f6cfab2..f8cb1e7 100644
--- a/packages/mcp-server/package.json
+++ b/packages/mcp-server/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@atomicmemory/mcp-server",
-  "version": "0.1.0",
+  "version": "0.1.1",
   "description": "MCP server exposing AtomicMemory's ingest / search / package tools to any MCP-compatible agent.",
   "type": "module",
   "main": "dist/index.js",
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@
   },
   "files": [
     "dist",
-    "README.md"
+    "README.md",
+    "CHANGELOG.md"
   ],
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/plugins/hermes/CHANGELOG.md b/plugins/hermes/CHANGELOG.md
index 032a199..e8cb9c6 100644
--- a/plugins/hermes/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/plugins/hermes/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,11 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 0.1.12 - 2026-05-14
+
+### Fixed
+
+- Added the Core Quickstart bearer key to the installer next-step output so the published package matches the local quickstart docs.
+
 ## 0.1.11 - 2026-05-14
 
 ### Added
diff --git a/plugins/hermes/README.md b/plugins/hermes/README.md
index 8be8a57..bb7fc21 100644
--- a/plugins/hermes/README.md
+++ b/plugins/hermes/README.md
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ hooks, tool schemas. Memory semantics flow through the published Python SDK.
 
 - Hermes Agent installed
 - AtomicMemory core URL exported as `ATOMICMEMORY_API_URL`
+- AtomicMemory bearer key exported as `ATOMICMEMORY_API_KEY` when using the Core Quickstart or any protected service
 
 ## Install
 
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@ clone is required.
 ```bash
 npx -y @atomicmemory/hermes-plugin install
 export ATOMICMEMORY_API_URL="http://127.0.0.1:3050"
+export ATOMICMEMORY_API_KEY="local-dev-key"
 ```
 
 Then select and verify the provider:
@@ -69,7 +71,7 @@ have a default API URL and fails to start if `ATOMICMEMORY_API_URL` is unset.
 | Env var | Purpose |
 |---|---|
 | `ATOMICMEMORY_API_URL` | AtomicMemory core URL. Required. |
-| `ATOMICMEMORY_API_KEY` | Bearer credential for AtomicMemory core. Optional. |
+| `ATOMICMEMORY_API_KEY` | Bearer credential for the Core Quickstart service or any protected AtomicMemory core. |
 | `ATOMICMEMORY_PROVIDER` | SDK provider name. Defaults to `atomicmemory`. |
 | `ATOMICMEMORY_SCOPE_USER` | Hermes user identity. Defaults to `$USER`. |
 | `ATOMICMEMORY_MEMORY_SCOPE` | `shared` (default) or `siloed`. |
diff --git a/plugins/hermes/install.mjs b/plugins/hermes/install.mjs
index b6d7cc3..9610f8e 100644
--- a/plugins/hermes/install.mjs
+++ b/plugins/hermes/install.mjs
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ function printNextSteps(target) {
   console.log('');
   console.log('Next:');
   console.log('  export ATOMICMEMORY_API_URL="http://127.0.0.1:3050"');
+  console.log('  export ATOMICMEMORY_API_KEY="local-dev-key"');
   console.log('  hermes memory setup');
   console.log('  hermes memory status');
 }
diff --git a/plugins/hermes/package.json b/plugins/hermes/package.json
index b064c96..3e7a1bb 100644
--- a/plugins/hermes/package.json
+++ b/plugins/hermes/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@atomicmemory/hermes-plugin",
-  "version": "0.1.11",
+  "version": "0.1.12",
   "description": "AtomicMemory native Hermes memory provider — Python SDK-backed, cross-tool memory by default.",
   "publishConfig": {
     "access": "public",