> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://api-docs.fcfpay.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://api-docs.fcfpay.com/quick-start.md).

# Quick Start

## Authentication

In order to call most of the API endpoints, one needs to obtain an **API\_KEY**. This token is currently obtainable by authenticating yourself to the system.\
The section below describes how to do that.

Once you have obtained your **API\_KEY**, you must include it in all requests that require authentication. You do so by adding a `Authorization` header to the request with the value `Bearer <API_KEY>` as seen in the example on the right.

{% hint style="info" %}
Some API requests are not actually just API endpoints, but the webhook requests, which will be sent to the URL provided by you. So there is not stuff about authentication.
{% endhint %}

## Get an API token

> Note: Please keep in mind, that anytime you must use the API key as a Bearer token.

> For each API request you need to have a token. For getting a token, you need to login to your merchant's dashboard. In case when you don't have an account, you can register here <https://merchant.fcfpay.com/register>.

After logging in to the account, you can retrieve a token by creating a new project in <https://merchant.fcfpay.com/admin/projects/create>.

![Screen taken from development environment, so there is a dummy data just for example.](/files/LAnf3FbziHf5406B4DvC)

Note: keep the token (API key) in a safe place.