> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://requestnetwork-update-banner.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started

> Quick setup guide to get your API keys and start building with Request Network

## Welcome to Request Network

Get started with Request Network in just a few minutes. This guide will walk you through setting up your account, obtaining API keys, and making your first API call.

## Quick Setup

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create Account">
    Sign up for a free Request Network account at [portal.request.network](https://portal.request.network)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get API Keys">
    Generate your API keys for both testnet (development) and mainnet (production)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose Integration">
    Select your integration approach based on your use case
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make First Call">
    Test your setup with a simple API call
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Account Setup

### Request Portal Registration

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Developer Account" icon="code">
    **For Developers:**

    * Free account with generous limits
    * Access to testnet for development
    * API documentation and tools
    * Community support

    [Sign Up →](https://portal.request.network)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Enterprise Account" icon="building">
    **For Enterprises:**

    * Higher rate limits
    * Priority support
    * Custom integrations
    * SLA guarantees

    [Contact Sales →](https://request.network/contact)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### API Key Generation

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Testnet Keys">
    **Development Environment:**

    1. Log in to Request Portal
    2. Navigate to "API Keys" section
    3. Click "Generate New Key"
    4. Select "Testnet" environment
    5. Name your key (e.g., "Development")
    6. Copy and securely store the key

    <Warning>
      **Testnet vs Mainnet**

      Always start development on testnet. Testnet uses test cryptocurrencies with no real value.
    </Warning>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Production Keys">
    **Production Environment:**

    1. Complete account verification
    2. Generate new API key
    3. Select "Mainnet" environment
    4. Configure production settings
    5. Set up monitoring and alerts

    <Info>
      **Security Best Practices**

      * Store API keys in environment variables
      * Never commit keys to version control
      * Use different keys for different environments
      * Rotate keys regularly
    </Info>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Choose Your Path

Select the integration approach that best fits your needs:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="📄 Invoicing" href="/use-cases/invoicing" icon="receipt">
    **Best for:** Professional invoicing, B2B payments

    Get started with invoice creation and payment collection in under 5 minutes.
  </Card>

  <Card title="💰 Payouts" href="/use-cases/payouts" icon="send">
    **Best for:** Vendor payments, contractor payouts

    Send instant crypto payments to multiple recipients with batch processing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="🛒 Checkout" href="/use-cases/checkout" icon="shopping-cart">
    **Best for:** E-commerce, digital goods

    Accept crypto payments in your online store with 80+ wallet support.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="💼 Payroll" href="/use-cases/payroll" icon="users">
    **Best for:** Employee payments, bulk processing

    Automate payroll with batch payments and recurring schedules.
  </Card>

  <Card title="🔄 Subscriptions" href="/use-cases/subscriptions" icon="repeat">
    **Best for:** SaaS billing, recurring revenue

    Set up automated subscription billing with flexible payment cycles.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Quick Test

Verify your setup with a simple API call:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://api.request.network/v2/requests \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "currency": "USD",
      "expectedAmount": "100",
      "payeeIdentity": "0x627306090abaB3A6e1400e9345bC60c78a8BEf57",
      "reason": "Test invoice"
    }'
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js theme={null}
  const axios = require('axios');

  async function createTestRequest() {
    try {
      const response = await axios.post('https://api.request.network/v2/requests', {
        currency: 'USD',
        expectedAmount: '100',
        payeeIdentity: '0x627306090abaB3A6e1400e9345bC60c78a8BEf57',
        reason: 'Test invoice'
      }, {
        headers: {
          'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.REQUEST_NETWORK_API_KEY}`,
          'Content-Type': 'application/json'
        }
      });
      
      console.log('Request created:', response.data.requestId);
      return response.data;
      
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Error creating request:', error.response?.data || error.message);
    }
  }

  createTestRequest();
  ```

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

  def create_test_request():
      url = "https://api.request.network/v2/requests"
      
      headers = {
          "Authorization": f"Bearer {os.getenv('REQUEST_NETWORK_API_KEY')}",
          "Content-Type": "application/json"
      }
      
      data = {
          "currency": "USD",
          "expectedAmount": "100",
          "payeeIdentity": "0x627306090abaB3A6e1400e9345bC60c78a8BEf57",
          "reason": "Test invoice"
      }
      
      try:
          response = requests.post(url, json=data, headers=headers)
          response.raise_for_status()
          
          print(f"Request created: {response.json()['requestId']}")
          return response.json()
          
      except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
          print(f"Error creating request: {e}")

  create_test_request()
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Environment Configuration

### Environment Variables

Set up your environment variables for secure API key management:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash .env theme={null}
  # Request Network Configuration
  REQUEST_NETWORK_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
  REQUEST_NETWORK_ENVIRONMENT=testnet

  # Webhook Configuration (optional)
  REQUEST_WEBHOOK_SECRET=your_webhook_secret_here
  REQUEST_WEBHOOK_URL=https://your-domain.com/webhooks/request-network

  # Application Configuration
  PORT=3000
  NODE_ENV=development
  ```

  ```javascript config.js theme={null}
  module.exports = {
    requestNetwork: {
      apiKey: process.env.REQUEST_NETWORK_API_KEY,
      environment: process.env.REQUEST_NETWORK_ENVIRONMENT || 'testnet',
      webhookSecret: process.env.REQUEST_WEBHOOK_SECRET,
      webhookUrl: process.env.REQUEST_WEBHOOK_URL
    },
    app: {
      port: process.env.PORT || 3000,
      environment: process.env.NODE_ENV || 'development'
    }
  };
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Development Tools

### Request Portal Features

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API Explorer" icon="play">
    **Interactive Testing:**

    * Test API endpoints directly in browser
    * Real-time response preview
    * Code generation for multiple languages
    * Request/response logging
  </Card>

  <Card title="Webhook Testing" icon="webhook">
    **Webhook Development:**

    * Test webhook delivery
    * Inspect webhook payloads
    * Retry failed webhooks
    * Webhook logs and analytics
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Transaction Monitor" icon="activity">
    **Real-time Monitoring:**

    * Live transaction tracking
    * Payment status updates
    * Error monitoring and alerts
    * Performance metrics
  </Card>

  <Card title="Analytics Dashboard" icon="chart-bar">
    **Usage Analytics:**

    * API usage statistics
    * Payment volume tracking
    * Success/failure rates
    * Performance insights
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Authentication Errors">
    **401 Unauthorized:**

    * Verify API key is correct
    * Check environment (testnet vs mainnet)
    * Ensure API key has required permissions
    * Verify Authorization header format
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Rate Limiting">
    **429 Too Many Requests:**

    * Implement exponential backoff
    * Check your current rate limits
    * Consider upgrading to higher limits
    * Optimize API call frequency
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Network Issues">
    **Connection Problems:**

    * Check network connectivity
    * Verify API endpoint URLs
    * Test with different networks
    * Check firewall settings
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's Next?

Now that you're set up, explore the features that matter most to your use case:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="📚 API Reference" href="/api-reference/authentication" icon="book">
    Detailed API endpoint documentation
  </Card>

  <Card title="⚙️ API Features" href="/api-features/payment-types" icon="cog">
    Learn about payment types and advanced capabilities
  </Card>

  <Card title="🛠️ Payment Types" href="/api-features/payment-types-overview" icon="puzzle-piece">
    Learn about payment types and integration options
  </Card>
</CardGroup>