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

# Make your first request

> Create a key, send a small request, and check your usage before connecting a coding tool.

You need an AsterWise account, prepaid balance, and an active API key. The same key works with Responses, Chat Completions, and Messages.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set up your account">
    [Open AsterWise](https://app.asterwise.dev), create an account, and accept the current Terms and Privacy Notice. Add at least **\$5 USD** of prepaid balance. Purchased balance does not expire.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create an API key">
    Create a key in the app. Copy it when it appears: its plaintext value is shown only once. Keep it in a secret manager or a local environment variable, and never commit it to a repository.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send a small request">
    Set your key in the terminal, then call the Responses endpoint with `aster-code`.

    ```bash theme={null}
    export ASTER_API_KEY='your-key'

    curl https://api.asterwise.dev/v1/responses \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer $ASTER_API_KEY" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"model":"aster-code","input":"Explain what a Git branch is in one sentence."}'
    ```

    Use `aster-work` for research and everyday tasks. See [products and capabilities](/products-capabilities) before adding tools or attachments.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check your usage">
    Open Usage in the app and review the request's status, token counts, and charge. If the outcome is unclear or your connection was interrupted, check Usage before sending the request again.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Connect your tool

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Claude Code" icon="terminal" href="/integrations/claude-code">Configure the Messages-compatible endpoint.</Card>
  <Card title="Codex" icon="code" href="/integrations/codex">Add Aster as a Responses provider.</Card>
</CardGroup>

For other clients, follow [GitHub Copilot CLI](/integrations/github-copilot), [OpenAI-compatible clients](/integrations/openai-compatible), or [Anthropic-compatible clients](/integrations/anthropic-compatible).

## If the request fails

Check that your key is active, your account has balance, and the URL and model match the example. See [errors and fallback](/errors-fallback) for retry guidance and [support](/support-status) if you need help.

<Note>
  Compatibility is qualified for specific client versions, protocols, providers, and scenarios. A custom-provider setting does not establish support for every client feature. Start with text, then verify the features your workflow needs.
</Note>