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

# Initial setup

> Follow these steps to begin using the Teal API.

<Note> You need a Sandbox Platform to get started. If you do not already have a Sandbox Platform, reach out to your Teal contact or
visit the [Teal home page](https://teal.dev) to get in touch. </Note>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a developer account">
    Once you have a Sandbox Platform, visit the [Developer Portal](https://developer.teal.dev/) and create an account using your company email address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate your API token">
    You can generate and manage API tokens from within the [Developer Portal](https://developer.teal.dev/).

    API tokens are scoped to one of two API environments:

    * **Sandbox Platforms:** `https://api.sandbox.teal.dev`
    * **Production Platforms:** `https://api.teal.dev`

    Sandbox is intended to be used during development. Once you are ready to go live, we will create a Production Platform for you. Calls to our API require a bearer token and are sent to our API using an `Authentication: Bearer <token>`
    HTTP header.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make a test API call">
    Test that you are setup correctly by making a test call to the [Retrieve Platform](/api-reference/platform/retrieve-platform) endpoint.

    Run the following cURL command in your client and replace `<API token>` with your API token:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl --request GET \
    --url https://api.sandbox.teal.dev/v0/platform \
    --header 'Authorization: Bearer <token>'
    ```

    If **successful**, you should see a response that looks like the following:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "id": 12345,
      "name": "Platform Name"
    }
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>