# Quick Start

Get started with Atlas Cloud API in minutes

Source: https://atlascloud.ai/docs/en/get-started

import { Callout } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/callout';
import { Tab, Tabs } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/tabs';
import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';

Get your API key and make your first API call in under 2 minutes.

<Steps>

## Step 1: Create Your Account

Sign up for a free Atlas Cloud account at [atlascloud.ai](https://atlascloud.ai).

## Step 2: Get Your API Key

1. Go to [API Keys](https://www.atlascloud.ai/console/api-keys)
2. Click **Create API Key**
3. Copy and save your API key securely

![Create API Key](../img/key1.png)

For more details on managing API keys, see the [API Keys](/api-keys) guide.

## Step 3: Add Funds

<Callout title="Minimum Top-Up" type="info">
The minimum top-up amount is **$25**. You can also enable [auto top-up](/billing/topup#auto-top-up) to keep your balance funded automatically.
</Callout>

Add funds at [Billing](https://www.atlascloud.ai/console/billing) via credit card, WeChat Pay, Alipay, or cryptocurrency. See [Pricing](/models/price) for details on rates and volume discounts.

1. Go to [Top-up & Billing](https://www.atlascloud.ai/console/billing)
2. Select the payment amount
3. Add a payment method
4. Click **Buy**

![Top-up and billing](../img/billing.png)

## Step 4: Make Your First API Call

### Chat with an LLM

Atlas Cloud's LLM API is **fully OpenAI-compatible**. If you're already using the OpenAI SDK, just change the base URL and API key.

<Tabs items={['Python', 'Node.js', 'cURL']}>
<Tab value="Python">
```python
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="your-api-key",
    base_url="https://api.atlascloud.ai/v1"
)

response = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="deepseek-v3",
    messages=[
        {"role": "user", "content": "Hello! What can you do?"}
    ]
)

print(response.choices[0].message.content)
```
</Tab>
<Tab value="Node.js">
```javascript
import OpenAI from "openai";

const client = new OpenAI({
  apiKey: "your-api-key",
  baseURL: "https://api.atlascloud.ai/v1",
});

const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
  model: "deepseek-v3",
  messages: [{ role: "user", content: "Hello! What can you do?" }],
});

console.log(response.choices[0].message.content);
```
</Tab>
<Tab value="cURL">
```bash
curl https://api.atlascloud.ai/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-api-key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "deepseek-v3",
    "messages": [
      {"role": "user", "content": "Hello! What can you do?"}
    ]
  }'
```
</Tab>
</Tabs>

### Generate an Image

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.atlascloud.ai/api/v1/model/generateImage \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-api-key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "seedream-3.0",
    "prompt": "A beautiful sunset over snow-capped mountains, photorealistic"
  }'
```

### Generate a Video

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.atlascloud.ai/api/v1/model/generateVideo \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-api-key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "kling-v2.0",
    "prompt": "A rocket launching into space with dramatic lighting"
  }'
```

### Upload Media

Upload local files to get temporary URLs for image-to-video, image editing, and other workflows:

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.atlascloud.ai/api/v1/model/uploadMedia \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-api-key" \
  -F "file=@image.png"
```

### Get Generation Result

Image and video generation tasks are asynchronous. Use the prediction ID returned from the generation request to check the status and retrieve results:

```bash
curl "https://api.atlascloud.ai/api/v1/model/prediction/your-prediction-id" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer your-api-key"
```

</Steps>

## Step 5: Explore Models

Browse all 400+ available models on the [Model Library](https://www.atlascloud.ai/models) to find the right model for your use case. Each model page includes:

- Interactive playground for testing
- API usage examples with parameters
- Pricing information

## Next Steps

- [Model APIs Overview](/models/overview) — Learn about all supported model types and providers
- [LLM / Chat Models](/models/llm) — Deep dive into LLM integration
- [Image Generation](/models/image) — Explore image generation models
- [Video Generation](/models/video) — Explore video generation models
- [API Keys Management](/api-keys) — Manage and secure your API keys
- [MCP Server](/mcp-server) — Use Atlas Cloud models directly in your IDE
- [Claude Code Skills](/skills) — Integrate Atlas Cloud into Claude Code workflows
- [API Reference](/openapi-index) — Full API documentation
- [Using history](https://www.atlascloud.ai/console/usage-history) — User-created task history