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

# Quickstart

> Get started with Ceramic Search in whatever way you choose, such as via the playground, API, or one of the many integrations.

## Get your API key

Generate your API key on the [Platform](https://platform.ceramic.ai/keys).

<Card title="Free tier" icon="gift" horizontal>
  1,000 free credits when you sign up.
</Card>

<Steps titleSize="h2">
  <Step title="Try It in the Playground">
    <Card title="Open the Playground" icon="magnifying-glass" href="https://platform.ceramic.ai/playground/search" arrow="true" horizontal>
      No setup required. Send queries to Ceramic Search directly in your browser.
    </Card>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Call the API Directly">
    Make a request directly from your terminal.

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl https://api.ceramic.ai/search \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"query": "California rental laws"}'
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use the SDK">
    Install the SDK for your language.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash python theme={null}
      pip install ceramic_ai
      ```

      ```bash typescript theme={null}
      npm install ceramic-ai
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    Make your first request.

    <CodeGroup>
      ```python python theme={null}
      from ceramic_ai import Ceramic

      client = Ceramic(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")

      response = client.search(query="California rental laws")

      print(response)
      ```

      ```typescript typescript theme={null}
      import { Ceramic } from "ceramic-ai";

      const client = new Ceramic({ apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY" });

      const response = await client.search({ query: "California rental laws"});

      console.log(response);
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    ### Response

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "requestId": "ae2ebd93-194f-4460-9996-15e3f86b05d8",
      "result": {
        "results": [
          {
            "title": "California Tenant Rights Guide",
            "url": "https://example.com/tenant-rights",
            "description": "Comprehensive guide to California rental laws..."
          }
        ],
        "searchMetadata": {
          "executionTime": 0.097
        },
        "totalResults": 10
      }
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect to the MCP Server">
    <Card title="Search MCP" icon="cube" href="/mcp/ceramic-mcp" arrow="true" horizontal>
      Connect Ceramic Search to your AI coding assistants and agents.
    </Card>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Integrations

Use Ceramic Search alongside the tools you already use.

<Accordion title="View all integrations">
  * [Anthropic Tool Use](/integrations/anthropic)
  * [CrewAI](/integrations/crewai)
  * [LangChain](/integrations/langchain)
  * [LlamaIndex](/integrations/llamaindex)
  * [OpenAI Tool Use](/integrations/openai)
  * [OpenClaw](/integrations/openclaw)
  * [Vercel AI SDK](/integrations/vercel)
</Accordion>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/search">
    Explore all available parameters
  </Card>

  <Card title="Best Practices" icon="lightbulb" href="/api/search/best-practices">
    Get the most out of Ceramic Search
  </Card>
</CardGroup>