# Quick start

> Authenticate and make your first request.

## 1. Get an API key

Get a key at [https://dirigon.com/billing](https://dirigon.com/billing). Trial on a work email, or subscribe to Tape or Matched. You see the secret once. Copy it. Those plans do not wait for approval. Terminal seats are by invitation.

Sign in at [https://dirigon.com/login](https://dirigon.com/login) to mint more keys and watch usage. New mailboxes get a temporary password in email.

## 2. Make your first request

Every request needs your key in the `X-API-KEY` header. Use the call that matches the plan. The other one returns HTTP 402.

The meter is request units. Most calls are 1. A credit card with history is 5. An SOI tape is 10. MCP uses the same units.

Trial (issuer card):

```bash
curl "https://dirigon.com/v1/issuers?q=Coupa" \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_KEY"
```

```python
import requests
headers = {"X-API-KEY": "YOUR_KEY"}
body = requests.get("https://dirigon.com/v1/issuers?q=Coupa", headers=headers).json()
iss = body.get("issuer") or (body.get("issuers") or [{}])[0]
print(iss.get("issuer_id"), iss.get("display_name"))
```

Tape (fund card):

```bash
curl "https://dirigon.com/v1/filers?q=ARCC" \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_KEY"
```

```python
import requests
headers = {"X-API-KEY": "YOUR_KEY"}
body = requests.get("https://dirigon.com/v1/filers?q=ARCC", headers=headers).json()
fil = body.get("filer") or (body.get("filers") or [{}])[0]
print(fil.get("name"), fil.get("cik"), (body.get("book") or {}).get("fv_m") or fil.get("total_fv_m"))
```

## 3. Open a tape, or find a credit

```bash
curl "https://dirigon.com/v1/filers/1287750/positions?limit=5" \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_KEY"

curl "https://dirigon.com/v1/issuers?q=Coupa" \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_KEY"
```

## What's next

- [Find a credit](https://dirigon.com/docs/find-a-credit.md)
- [SOI tape](https://dirigon.com/docs/soi-tape.md)
- [Holder marks](https://dirigon.com/docs/holder-marks.md)
- [MCP](https://dirigon.com/docs/mcp.md)