---
title: "Getting Started"
description: "Go from zero to your first API call in under 5 minutes"
url: "https://seriousmonkeybusiness.shermett.me/getting-started"
image: "https://seriousmonkeybusiness.shermett.me/_og/d/c_Ocean.takumi,title_Getting+Started,description_Go+from+zero+to+your+first+API+call+in+under+5+minutes,props_eyJ0aGVtZSI6eyJtb2RlIjoibGlnaHQiLCJjb2xvcnMiOnsicHJpbWFyeSI6IiMwMDk5MzMifX19,p_Ii9nZXR0aW5nLXN0YXJ0ZWQi,s_GdFZnXLjC7cZlw1V.png"
---

# Getting started

Everything you need to go from zero to your first API call in under five minutes. No experience required — just curiosity and a keyboard.

Free tier that never expires · No credit card · Instant verification

The path

## Your first API call in three steps

Follow along and you'll have a working integration before your coffee gets cold.

1

### Create your developer account

Sign up with email or your SSO provider. Verification is instant and you land straight on your dashboard.

2

### Generate your credentials

Open credentials in your dashboard and generate a key. Store it somewhere safe — every request carries it.

3

### Make your first request

Pick an API, copy a sample request, swap in your key, and fire away. The response lands in milliseconds.

Try it now

## Your first call, in any language

Swap `YOUR_API_KEY` for your own credentials and run it. The response tab shows exactly what comes back.

cURL

JavaScript

Python

Response

```bash
curl -s https://api.seriousmonkey.biz/v1/bananas \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json"
```

```javascript
const res = await fetch(
  'https://api.seriousmonkey.biz/v1/bananas',
  {
    headers: {
      Authorization: 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    }
  }
)

const { data } = await res.json()
console.log(data)
```

```python
import requests

res = requests.get(
    "https://api.seriousmonkey.biz/v1/bananas",
    headers={
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
)

print(res.json())
```

```json
{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": "ban_9x8y7z",
      "variety": "Cavendish",
      "ripeness": "perfect",
      "quantity": 42,
      "status": "available"
    }
  ],
  "meta": {
    "total": 1,
    "page": 1,
    "per_page": 20
  }
}
```

You're all set

A `200 OK` means you just made your first Serious Monkey Business API call. Head to the [API catalog](https://seriousmonkeybusiness.shermett.me/apis) to see everything else on offer.

Keep going

## Dive deeper

Ready to level up? These cover documentation, versioning, and picking the right auth for the job.

[

### Documenting your APIs

Best practices for API docs developers actually want to read.

Read the guide →







](https://seriousmonkeybusiness.shermett.me/guides/document-apis)[

### API versioning strategies

Manage breaking changes gracefully and keep consumers happy.

Read the guide →







](https://seriousmonkeybusiness.shermett.me/guides/publish-apis/versioning)[

### Authentication deep dive

API keys, OAuth 2.0, or JWT — pick the method that fits your case.

Browse APIs →







](https://seriousmonkeybusiness.shermett.me/apis)

We've got you

## Need help along the way?

The guides go deeper on every step, and the catalog documents each endpoint in full. No question is too small — or too bananas.

[Browse APIs](https://seriousmonkeybusiness.shermett.me/apis)[Read the guides](https://seriousmonkeybusiness.shermett.me/guides)