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

# Getting Started

> Get from zero to your first API call in minutes

Cadana provides APIs for global payroll, cross-border payments, and multi-currency wallets. This guide gets you set up and making your first API call.

***

## 1. Get Your API Key

1. [Sign in](https://app.cadanapay.com) to the Cadana Dashboard (or [request access](https://cadanapay.com/book-demo))
2. Go to **Settings** → **Developers**
3. Create a new API key and copy it — it won't be shown again

Cadana supports different [token types](/authentication#token-types) depending on your integration. Most integrations start with an **Org API key**.

<Warning>
  Keep your API key secret. Never expose it in client-side code or public repositories.
</Warning>

***

## 2. Environments

| Environment | Base URL                        | Purpose                 |
| :---------- | :------------------------------ | :---------------------- |
| Sandbox     | `https://dev-api.cadanapay.com` | Development and testing |
| Production  | `https://api.cadanapay.com`     | Live transactions       |

Sandbox and production use separate API keys and data. Start in sandbox.

***

## 3. Make Your First Request

Test your API key by asking the API [who you are](/api-reference/workforce/businesses/get-current-identity):

```bash Bash theme={null}
curl -X GET 'https://dev-api.cadanapay.com/v1/me' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
```

A successful `200` response confirms your key is working and returns your key's access level and your business — including the `businessId` and tenant key that other endpoints ask for:

```json JSON theme={null}
{
  "apiKey": {
    "id": "ba51f42c-0adc-4a77-8dd1-a03dd4fb955f",
    "accessLevel": "FULL",
    "status": "active",
    "description": "Sandbox key"
  },
  "business": {
    "id": "1f7b33d4-45c6-4a66-b58f-2f6b3d3e5a10",
    "tenantKey": "acme-us",
    "name": "Acme Inc.",
    "country": "US"
  }
}
```

If you get `401 Unauthorized`, check that you're using a sandbox API key with the sandbox URL.

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Payments" icon="paper-plane" href="/payments/overview">
    Send payouts to bank accounts and mobile wallets globally
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workforce" icon="users" href="/workforce/pay-workers-via-payroll">
    Pay employees and contractors via payroll
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/authentication">
    Token types, multi-tenant setup, and security
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sandbox & Testing" icon="flask-vial" href="/reference/sandbox">
    Test your integration with simulated data
  </Card>
</CardGroup>