> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.xs2a.com/xs2a/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.xs2a.com/xs2a/integration-cs/getting-started/required-steps-to-start.md).

# Required steps to start

To use our API without any complications please follow the steps provided here.

## API-Key

The most important part to use our API is the API-Key. You can create multiple API-Keys in our back office (Customer Cockpit) for different cases. First, to start using our API you will need to create an API-Key in `Testing` mode.

Therefore just log in to our back office (Customer Cockpit) and navigate to `Configure` > [`API Keys`](https://manage.xs2a.com/configure/apikeys) inside the navigation bar on the left side.

![](/files/GhtlvvgiBq864IL4Zx3L)

You can now create new API-Keys on the right side of the page. Please make sure to read the description and take care of the explanation for restricting IP-addresses. Also, we recommend writing some comments to have a better overview afterward.

![](/files/-MMoObLSvOkeL_TcpSep)

After you created a new API-Key you will see a new message on the page containing the Key.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Make sure to copy your new API key now. You won’t be able to see it again!**
{% endhint %}

![](/files/-MMoPGCp3FNX3TfpReLq)

You also have an overview of all created API keys on this page.

![](/files/-MMoQ37MGV5tV_pqq0aN)

Continue with the [next step](/xs2a/integration-cs/getting-started/use-case-integration.md) to check if we already have an example for your use case.

{% content-ref url="/pages/-MMQU\_XQNXM2Y6kVgED0" %}
[Use case integration](/xs2a/integration-cs/getting-started/use-case-integration.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}