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

# Quickstart

> Get started with Verlon AI in under 5 minutes

## Before you begin

1. Sign up for a free account at [verlon.ai/signup](https://verlon.ai/signup)
2. Get your API key from the [Dashboard](https://verlon.ai/dashboard)
3. Create your first gate with your desired model configuration

## Install the SDK

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash npm theme={null}
  npm install @verlon-ai/sdk
  ```

  ```bash pnpm theme={null}
  pnpm add @verlon-ai/sdk
  ```

  ```bash yarn theme={null}
  yarn add @verlon-ai/sdk
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Make your first request

<CodeGroup>
  ```typescript TypeScript theme={null}
  import { Verlon } from '@verlon-ai/sdk';

  const verlon = new Verlon({
    apiKey: process.env.VERLON_API_KEY
  });

  const response = await verlon.chat({
    gateId: 'your-gate-id',
    data: {
      messages: [
        { role: 'user', content: 'Explain quantum computing in simple terms' }
      ]
    }
  });

  console.log(response.content);
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const { Verlon } = require('@verlon-ai/sdk');

  const verlon = new Verlon({
    apiKey: process.env.VERLON_API_KEY
  });

  const response = await verlon.chat({
    gateId: 'your-gate-id',
    data: {
      messages: [
        { role: 'user', content: 'Explain quantum computing in simple terms' }
      ]
    }
  });

  console.log(response.content);
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  from verlon import Verlon

  verlon = Verlon(api_key=os.environ.get("VERLON_API_KEY"))

  response = verlon.chat(
      gate_id="your-gate-id",
      messages=[
          {"role": "user", "content": "Explain quantum computing in simple terms"}
      ]
  )

  print(response.content)
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## What's Next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Integration Guides" icon="plug" href="/integrations/layer-sdk">
    Learn about all SDK methods for chat, images, audio, and video
  </Card>

  <Card title="Gates & Routing" icon="route" href="/concepts/gates-and-routing">
    Understand how gates provide smart routing and fallbacks
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dashboard Guide" icon="gauge" href="/dashboard/creating-gates">
    Deep dive into creating and configuring gates
  </Card>

  <Card title="Cost Tracking" icon="chart-line" href="/concepts/cost-tracking">
    Monitor and optimize your AI spending
  </Card>
</CardGroup>