> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.smartlyq.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Make your first SmartlyQ API call in under 5 minutes.

## Prerequisites

* A SmartlyQ account ([sign up](https://app.smartlyq.com/signup))
* A **Pro plan or higher** (API access requires Pro+)
* An API key from the [Developer Dashboard](https://app.smartlyq.com/my/developer)

## Step 1: Get your API key

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Developer Dashboard">
    Go to [app.smartlyq.com/my/developer](https://app.smartlyq.com/my/developer) and create a new API key.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy your key">
    Your key looks like `sqk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxx`. Keep it safe — you won't be able to see it again.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add credits">
    API usage is prepaid. Top up your Developer wallet from the same dashboard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 2: Make your first request

Verify your key by fetching your profile:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X GET https://api.smartlyq.com/v1/me \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer sqk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxx"
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js theme={null}
  const res = await fetch("https://api.smartlyq.com/v1/me", {
    headers: { Authorization: "Bearer sqk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxx" }
  });
  const data = await res.json();
  console.log(data);
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import requests

  res = requests.get(
      "https://api.smartlyq.com/v1/me",
      headers={"Authorization": "Bearer sqk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxx"}
  )
  print(res.json())
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Check>
  You should receive a JSON response with your user profile and plan details.
</Check>

## Step 3: Generate content

Try generating an article (returns a job you can poll):

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.smartlyq.com/v1/articles/generate \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sqk_live_xxxxxxxxxxxx" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "topic": "10 Tips for Social Media Marketing",
    "language": "en",
    "tone": "professional"
  }'
```

The response includes a `job_id`. Poll `GET /jobs/{job_id}` until the job completes.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/authentication">
    Learn about API keys, scopes, and security.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Billing & Credits" icon="credit-card" href="/guides/billing-and-credits">
    Understand how credits and pricing work.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference">
    Browse all available endpoints.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Async Jobs" icon="clock" href="/guides/async-jobs">
    Learn how to poll for long-running operations.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>