---
sidebar_position: 2
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> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lium.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Developer Quickstart

## Get started in 5 min

This guide takes you from zero to your first authenticated API call against the Lium platform API.

### Step 1 — Get an API key

1. Log in to [lium.io](https://lium.io).
2. Navigate to **Settings → API Keys**.
3. Click **Create API Key**, copy the key, and store it securely.

### Step 2 — Make your first request

List available templates (public endpoint, no auth required):

```bash
curl https://lium.io/api/templates
```

List your pods (requires API key):

```bash

curl https://lium.io/api/pods \
  -H "X-API-Key: $LIUM_API_KEY"
```

### Step 3 — Create a pod

```bash
curl -X POST https://lium.io/api/pods \
  -H "X-API-Key: $LIUM_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "machine_id": "<machine_uuid>",
    "template_id": "<template_uuid>",
    "gpu_count": 1,
    "ssh_key_ids": ["<ssh_key_uuid>"]
  }'
```

The response includes a `pod_id`. Poll `GET /pods/{pod_id}` until status is `running`.

**End state**: You have a running pod created via the API. The live OpenAPI reference is available at [lium.io/documents](https://lium.io/documents).

### Step 4 — Explore the CLI

Install the CLI for scripted workflows:

```bash
curl -fsSL https://lium.io/install.sh | bash   # or `pip install lium.io`
lium --help
```

See the [CLI installation guide](./cli/installation) for platform notes, version pinning, and the Python package alternative.

## Next steps

- [OpenAPI spec](./openapi) — every endpoint, payload, and response
- [SDK](./sdk) — typed Python client built on the same API
- [CLI installation and quickstart](./cli/quickstart)
- [AI Agents](./agents) — MCP, llms.txt, OpenAPI, and CLI in one map