> ## 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 with a simple request:

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

A successful `200` response confirms your key is working:

```json JSON theme={null}
{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": "517075a2-17db-469f-9481-eb8347cb920c",
      "currency": "USD",
      "balance": 0,
      "available": 0,
      "processing": 0
    }
  ],
  "node": {
    "previous": null,
    "next": null
  }
}
```

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>