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

# Quickstart

You only need an account to start building in the dashboard. For API requests
and integrations, you also need an API key.

## Sign in

Open [app.slng.ai](https://app.slng.ai) and sign in, or create an account if you
do not have one. Once signed in, open the
[Projects page](https://app.slng.ai/projects).

To build in the dashboard, go straight to
[Create an agent](/guides/get-started/create-a-project/create-agent).

For API access, create a key below. If you already have one, skip to
[Store and use your key](#store-and-use-your-key).

## Create your API key

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose Generate key">
    On the **Projects** page, click **New project**. At the bottom of the start
    screen, click **Generate key**. The **Create API key** dialog opens.

    <Frame caption="The project start screen. Next to Just want the API?, click Generate key.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/slng-new-docs/_MURdOw87SJsfVag/heroshots/new-project-api-key-path.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_MURdOw87SJsfVag&q=85&s=5ed3fa03179d1574e722aea7c84f6a16" alt="Project start screen with the Generate key link highlighted" width="2560" height="1600" data-path="heroshots/new-project-api-key-path.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name the key and set an expiration">
    Enter an **API name** you will recognize later, such as
    `wayne-enterprises-prod`. Set an **Expiration date**, or leave it empty if
    the key should not expire.

    <Frame caption="The Create API key dialog.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/slng-new-docs/_MURdOw87SJsfVag/heroshots/new-project-api-key-modal.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_MURdOw87SJsfVag&q=85&s=530e9ae8d85925a8faf0c0afdd5658e4" alt="Create API key dialog with an API name field and an optional expiration date" width="2560" height="1600" data-path="heroshots/new-project-api-key-modal.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate and copy the key">
    Click **Generate key**. Copy the key before closing the dialog: you can
    only see it once. If you lose it, generate a new one.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Store and use your key

Save the key in a password manager or your application's secret store. Keep it
out of source control and browser code.

Set `SLNG_API_KEY` in the terminal where you will run API requests. Replace
`slng_...` with your key:

```bash theme={null}
export SLNG_API_KEY="slng_..."
```

The variable lasts for the current terminal session. API requests send the key
as a bearer token:

```text theme={null}
Authorization: Bearer $SLNG_API_KEY
```

For integrations, use the configuration field or environment variable named in
the integration guide.

## Start building

Read [What's a project?](/guides/get-started/create-a-project/whats-a-project)
for project boundaries and the available paths. If you know what you need:

* [Deploy on SLNG](/guides/get-started/create-a-project/create-agent)
* [Use the API directly](/guides/get-started/create-a-project/api-only)
* Improve an existing agent, in your own code:
  [LiveKit](/guides/integrate/livekit), [Pipecat](/guides/integrate/pipecat),
  or [Custom LLM](/guides/integrate/custom).
* Improve an existing agent, on a voice platform:
  [ElevenLabs](/guides/integrate/elevenlabs), [Vapi](/guides/integrate/vapi),
  or [Deepgram](/guides/integrate/deepgram).