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

# Getting Started

> Get started with Atlantic API — sign up via GitHub, create a project, get your API key, and submit your first proof generation query.

<Note>
  Have a look at the [Atlantic API AI Skill](/skills/atlantic-api) to give your
  LLM a head start on using the Atlantic API. For programmatic API-key
  acquisition without the GUI, see the
  [Herodotus Auth AI Skill](/skills/herodotus-auth) and
  [Programmatic wallet authentication](/documentation/authentication#programmatic-wallet-authentication).
</Note>

### Sign in with GitHub

1. Navigate to [https://www.herodotus.cloud/](https://www.herodotus.cloud/)
2. Click 'Start with Github' and Authorize 'HerodotusDev'
3. Once authorized, you will be redirected to the dashboard.

### Obtain your API Key

1. In the sidebar, click on 'API KEYS'.
2. Click on 'Copy' next to your API key or generate a new one.

Keep this key secure as it grants you access to performing queries

### Use the HCloud SDK or CLI

For scripts, agents, and backend services, prefer the HCloud SDK or CLI before
writing a custom Atlantic client. The package handles API-key resolution,
programmatic wallet authentication, query submission, polling helpers, artifact
access, and Atlantic x402 payment retries. See the package on npm:
[https://www.npmjs.com/package/@herodotus\_dev/hcloud](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@herodotus_dev/hcloud).

Install the SDK:

```bash theme={null}
npm install @herodotus_dev/hcloud
```

Install the CLI:

```bash theme={null}
npm install -g @herodotus_dev/hcloud
```

Submit a query with the CLI:

```bash theme={null}
HCLOUD_API_KEY=... hcloud atlantic submit-query --pie-file ./pie.zip --declared-job-size S
```

Or authenticate once with an EVM wallet and let HCloud store credentials under
`~/.hcloud`:

```bash theme={null}
WALLET_PRIVATE_KEY=0x... hcloud auth login
hcloud atlantic submit-query --pie-file ./pie.zip --declared-job-size S
```

Use the SDK from TypeScript:

```ts theme={null}
import { HcloudClient, submitAndWait } from '@herodotus_dev/hcloud';

const client = new HcloudClient({
  apiKey: process.env.HCLOUD_API_KEY,
});

const result = await submitAndWait(client.atlantic, {
  declaredJobSize: 'S',
  pieFile: './pie.zip',
});

console.log(result.atlanticQuery.id, result.atlanticQuery.status);
```

### Apply for credits

Before sending any queries, you need to apply for credits at [https://herodotus.dev/contact-us](https://herodotus.dev/contact-us)

### [Authentication step by step](/documentation/authentication)