---
title: "Get started"
description: "Register an account, unlock Usearch credits, obtain an API key, and make your first Search and Reader requests."
icon: "i-lucide-rocket"
---

## Quick Start for Developers

Register an account to obtain an API key, then use Usearch in your agent.

## 1. Register an account

Go to [Account Login](https://www.cloudsway.ai/login), create an account, and log in.

### Unlock Usearch credits

Go to [the Plan section](https://www.cloudsway.ai/dashboard/search/plan) to bind and activate your credit card. You can unlock $5 in Usearch credits upon your first binding and activation.

## 2. Get an API key

Access [the Control Panel](https://www.cloudsway.ai/dashboard/search/api-keys) to obtain your API key.

## 3. Initiate an API request

Use Search and Reader in your own code. Replace `<YOUR_API_KEY>` with your API key. Send the key directly in the `Authorization` header, without a `Bearer` prefix.

### Search

**cURL**

~~~bash
curl --get 'https://aisearchapi.cloudsway.net/api/search/smart' \
  --data-urlencode 'q=your search query' \
  --data-urlencode 'count=10' \
  --header 'Authorization: <YOUR_API_KEY>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json'
~~~

**Python (requests)**

~~~python
import requests

response = requests.get(
    "https://aisearchapi.cloudsway.net/api/search/smart",
    headers={
        "Authorization": "<YOUR_API_KEY>",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    params={"q": "your search query", "count": 10},
)
data = response.json()
print(data)
~~~

For more detailed usage instructions, see the [Search API reference](/content/category-8/document-8).

### Reader

**cURL**

~~~bash
curl --request POST 'https://aisearchapi.cloudsway.net/api/search/read' \
  --header 'Authorization: <YOUR_API_KEY>' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
    "url": "https://example.com",
    "formats": ["TEXT"],
    "mode": "auto"
  }'
~~~

**Python (requests)**

~~~python
import requests

response = requests.post(
    "https://aisearchapi.cloudsway.net/api/search/read",
    headers={
        "Authorization": "<YOUR_API_KEY>",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    json={
        "url": "https://example.com",
        "formats": ["TEXT"],
        "mode": "auto",
    },
)
data = response.json()
print(data)
~~~

For more detailed usage instructions, see the [Reader API reference](/content/category-8/document-9).