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

# Quick Start

> Your first LLM request in 3 steps

This guide takes you to your first successful request to OpenAI / Claude / Gemini through FortAPI in 3 steps.

## Step 1. Create an API key

In the dashboard, go to **Tokens** → **Create token**.

* **Name**: anything for your own reference, e.g. `local-dev`.
* **Expiry**: leave "Never" unless you need otherwise.
* **Spend limit**: you can cap the token at a USD amount.

Copy the resulting key — it starts with `sk-...`. It's best to **save it right away**, but if you lose it you can always return to the **Tokens** page in the dashboard and reveal it via the eye icon, or use "Copy key" to copy the full key again.

## Step 2. First request

FortAPI is OpenAI-compatible. Use your favourite SDK and just swap the `base_url`:

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python (OpenAI SDK) theme={null}
  from openai import OpenAI

  client = OpenAI(
      api_key="sk-YOUR_KEY",
      base_url="https://www.fortapi.com/v1",
  )

  response = client.chat.completions.create(
      model="your-model-name",  # see the pricing page on the main site for available model names
      messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}],
  )

  print(response.choices[0].message.content)
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js (OpenAI SDK) theme={null}
  import OpenAI from "openai";

  const client = new OpenAI({
    apiKey: "sk-YOUR_KEY",
    baseURL: "https://www.fortapi.com/v1",
  });

  const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
    model: "your-model-name", // see the pricing page on the main site for available model names
    messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello!" }],
  });

  console.log(response.choices[0].message.content);
  ```

  ```bash curl theme={null}
  # replace "your-model-name" with any model name from the pricing page
  curl https://www.fortapi.com/v1/chat/completions \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer sk-YOUR_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "model": "your-model-name",
      "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Replace `your-model-name` with any model name from the pricing page on the main site.

## Step 3. Switch models

To switch to Claude, Gemini, Grok or any other provider, change only the `model` parameter:

```python theme={null}
model="your-model-name"  # see the pricing page on the main site for available model names
```

The full list of available models is on the **Pricing** page on the main site.

## What's next

* Got questions? [support@fortapi.com](mailto:support@fortapi.com)