diff --git a/backend/app/core/cache.py b/backend/app/core/cache.py
index de9fce0..98b7969 100644
--- a/backend/app/core/cache.py
+++ b/backend/app/core/cache.py
@@ -43,8 +43,23 @@ def compute_semantic_node_hash(
     hasher = hashlib.sha256()
     hasher.update(node_type.encode("utf-8"))
 
-    # Canonicalize params: exclude transient secrets from hash
-    clean_params = {k: v for k, v in params.items() if not k.lower().endswith("key")}
+    # Canonicalize params: exclude transient secrets from hash via explicit denylist
+    secret_keys = {
+        "api_key",
+        "apikey",
+        "secret",
+        "secret_key",
+        "token",
+        "access_token",
+        "auth_token",
+        "password",
+        "bearer_token",
+        "app_secret",
+    }
+    clean_params = {
+        k: v for k, v in params.items()
+        if k.lower() not in secret_keys and not k.lower().endswith("_api_key") and not k.lower().endswith("_token")
+    }
 
     # Invariant #5: Canonical Params must include provider identity & runner version
     resolved_prov = provider_id or params.get("__provider") or params.get("provider") or params.get("engine_id")
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_dag_cache.py b/backend/tests/test_dag_cache.py
index 384aad6..7569fb4 100644
--- a/backend/tests/test_dag_cache.py
+++ b/backend/tests/test_dag_cache.py
@@ -162,3 +162,29 @@ async def test_cache_sqlite_error_logging(caplog):
         # Test clear_all_async error logging
         await failing_cache.clear_all_async()
         assert "Cache DB clear operation failed: SQLite connection lock failed" in caplog.text
+
+
+def test_semantic_node_hash_preserves_non_secret_keys():
+    """Verify parameters containing 'key' like chroma_key or animation_key are NOT stripped from hash."""
+    from app.core.cache import compute_semantic_node_hash
+
+    hash1 = compute_semantic_node_hash(
+        node_type="image.chroma",
+        params={"chroma_key": "#00FF00", "tolerance": 0.2, "api_key": "secret123"},
+        input_bindings=[],
+    )
+    hash2 = compute_semantic_node_hash(
+        node_type="image.chroma",
+        params={"chroma_key": "#0000FF", "tolerance": 0.2, "api_key": "secret123"},
+        input_bindings=[],
+    )
+    # Different chroma_key must produce different hashes (not stripped!)
+    assert hash1 != hash2
+
+    # Changing transient api_key should produce identical hashes (stripped)
+    hash3 = compute_semantic_node_hash(
+        node_type="image.chroma",
+        params={"chroma_key": "#00FF00", "tolerance": 0.2, "api_key": "different_secret"},
+        input_bindings=[],
+    )
+    assert hash1 == hash3