# Quickstart

Make your first request in five minutes.

## 1. Get a key

Sign in to the [console](/console) with your email. Click **Create a key** and copy it. It starts with `cl-`. You will only see it once.

Paste it into **Fill in your key** on the left and every example on this page will use it.

## 2. Make a request

### cURL

```bash
curl https://api.continuumlabs.ai/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer cl-your-key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "glm-5.2",
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Explain GST to a new small business owner in three sentences."}]
  }'
```

### Python

Install the OpenAI SDK with `pip install openai`.

```python
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(base_url="https://api.continuumlabs.ai/v1", api_key="cl-your-key")

reply = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="glm-5.2",
    messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Explain GST to a new small business owner in three sentences."}],
)
print(reply.choices[0].message.content)
```

### TypeScript

Install the OpenAI SDK with `npm install openai`.

```typescript
import OpenAI from 'openai'

const client = new OpenAI({ baseURL: 'https://api.continuumlabs.ai/v1', apiKey: 'cl-your-key' })

const reply = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: 'glm-5.2',
  messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Explain GST to a new small business owner in three sentences.' }],
})
console.log(reply.choices[0].message.content)
```

## 3. Keep your key out of your code

Store the key in an environment variable and read it from there.

```bash
export CONTINUUM_API_KEY=cl-your-key
```

```python
import os
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(base_url="https://api.continuumlabs.ai/v1", api_key=os.environ["CONTINUUM_API_KEY"])
```

## Next

- [Stream answers](/docs/streaming) as they are written.
- [Let the model call your functions](/docs/tool-calling).
- Copy a complete agent from the [cookbook](https://github.com/continuumlabs-ai/cookbook).