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

# Get set up with Bridge

### Step 1: Create a Bridge account

**Are you an existing developer?** Head over to [dashboard.bridge.xyz](https://dashboard.bridge.xyz) to login to your Bridge Dashboard.

**Do you want to get started?** [Contact sales](https://www.bridge.xyz/requestfreedemo).

### Step 2: Create your API keys

Once logged in, click on the "API Keys" tab on the top menu bar and generate a new API key.

<Danger>
  Safely store your API keys
</Danger>

Bridge will make your **API key available only once**, so make sure to **immediately copy and save the key safely and securely**. Your key is used to authenticate into our APIs and is highly sensitive. If it ever gets compromised, you can immediately revoke key access from our dashboard and generate a new key.

#### Creating scoped API keys programmatically

In addition to the Dashboard, you can create **scoped API keys** via the API. Scoped keys are restricted to a subset of permissions and are useful for limiting what a key can do — for example, granting only `customer:read` access to a read-only service.

Use `POST /v0/api_keys` with an unrestricted key or a key that holds the `api_key:create` scope:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.bridge.xyz/v0/api_keys \
  -H "Api-Key: <your-api-key>" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "Customer service key",
    "scopes": ["customer:read", "customer:create"]
  }'
```

The `name` field is optional (up to 100 characters) and lets you label a key so you can identify its purpose later. The `value` in the response is the plaintext secret — it is returned **only once**, so store it immediately.

Up to 500 scoped keys may exist per developer. To inspect the scopes on the key making a request, call `GET /v0/api_keys/whoami`.

### Step 3: Follow our guides and start moving money.

[**Create your first customer**](/get-started/introduction/quick-start/create-your-first-customer) - This guide walks you through creating your first customer and getting them verified

[**Create a one-time payment**](/get-started/introduction/quick-start/create-a-one-time-payment) - This guide walks you through moving funds onchain through a bank

[**Setting up webhooks**](/get-started/introduction/quick-start/setting-up-webhooks) - This guide walks you through setting up and using Bridge webhooks to handle customer events in your application.