# Getting started

Make your first request to the aclipp API in a couple of minutes.

The aclipp API lets you read and manage your workspace programmatically: pull clippings, run reports, and automate the work you'd otherwise do in the dashboard. Everything is scoped to a single workspace, which is implied by your API key.

## 1. Create an API key

Open [workspace settings](https://app.aclipp.com/settings/api) and create a key. You'll see the full key exactly once, so copy it somewhere safe. Grant it only the scopes it needs (see [Authentication & scopes](/docs/authentication)).

## 2. Make a request

Send the key as a bearer token in the `Authorization` header. The base URL is `https://api.aclipp.com/api/v1`.

```bash
curl "https://api.aclipp.com/api/v1/me" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer aclipp_live_..."
```

`GET /me` returns the workspace, scopes, and project restriction the key resolves to. It's the quickest way to confirm a key works.

## 3. Explore

Every endpoint, its parameters, and example requests and responses live in the [API reference](/docs/api-reference). A few things worth knowing:

- **Responses are JSON.** Errors use the shape `{ "error": { "code", "message" } }`.
- **Large lists are paginated** with `page` and `limit` parameters where the endpoint supports pagination.
- **Requests are rate limited** per workspace; you'll get a `429` with a `Retry-After` header if you exceed it.

When you're ready, read [Authentication & scopes](/docs/authentication) to understand what a key can and can't do, and [Rate limits](/docs/rate-limits) to plan retries and background jobs.