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

# Get access to the Agent API

> Connect using an API key and secret to create an account, or existing account credentials to sign in

To get started with the Agent API, you need the **exact HTTPS host** supplied by your service provider and **one of these two options**:

| What you have                                           | Next step                                                                                                                              |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **An API key and its secret**                           | [Create an account](/neuron-api/guides/creating-an-account) from your backend, then sign in with that account's username and password. |
| **Existing account credentials: username and password** | [Sign in and make your first API request](/neuron-api/first-request). You do not need an account-creation API key.                     |

If you have neither, ask your organization, event organizer, or service provider for an API key and secret or an existing account.

The API key and secret authorize account creation. Signing in with account credentials returns a JWT, which you use for subsequent authenticated requests.

## Use the Neuro sandbox

The development sandbox is available at **[https://sandbox.neuro-tech.io](https://sandbox.neuro-tech.io)**. Its broker/Neuron operator supplies the account-creation API key and secret. Follow the [sandbox quickstart](/neuron-api/quickstart) to create an account, enable it through the public sandbox helper, and obtain an automatically approved test identity. These shortcuts are specific to the sandbox.

## Confirm your service details

Ask your service provider for the details below.

| Detail                                         | Why you need it                                                                                                             |
| ---------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Exact HTTPS host, including a non-default port | Requests and login signatures must use the same host.                                                                       |
| Your application's HTTPS URL                   | Send it as [`Referer`](/neuron-api/api-basics#required-referer-header) on every Agent API call, including backend requests. |
| Enabled capabilities and privileges            | Authentication does not grant every operation.                                                                              |
| Development data and value policy              | Know whether identities, agreements, and wallet values are test data.                                                       |
| Supported Neuron build                         | Match schemas and behavior to the service you will use.                                                                     |

Neuro does not use one shared API host. Use the address supplied for your account:

```text theme={null}
https://<NEURON_HOST>/Agent/...
```

## Keep credentials in your backend

Keep the account-creation API secret, account credentials, and returned JWT in your backend. For signup from a browser application, follow [browser signup](/neuron-api/guides/browser-based-signup).

## Add capabilities when needed

Contract participation needs an approved Legal Identity and the appropriate signing key. Creating instances needs an approved template. Token creation can also require provider-specific attributes and signatures. Each [Build guide](/build/overview) explains those prerequisites before you submit a request.

If login succeeds but an operation is rejected, check [authorization and privileges](/neuron-api/authorization-and-privileges) with your service provider.