# Quickstart
URL: https://backworkhealth.com/docs/quickstart

Sign up, create a live key, and make your first Backwork API call in a few minutes

You need an email address and a terminal. Signing up is free, and there is no call to book.

<Callout title="Want to try it before you sign up?">
  The [sandbox](/docs/sandbox) gives you a test key with one `curl` command and answers from synthetic data. No account needed.
</Callout>

## 1. Sign up [#1-sign-up]

Create an account at [backworkhealth.com/sign-up](https://backworkhealth.com/sign-up) and finish onboarding to create your organization. Every organization gets 100 free starter credits, once. You do not need to enter a card. Most calls cost 1 credit; see [Pricing and credits](/docs/pricing) for the rest.

## 2. Create a live key [#2-create-a-live-key]

Open [API usage and keys](https://backworkhealth.com/api-usage). The **Request balance** card shows your starter credits.

Under **Live API keys**, name the key (for example, `local testing`) and choose **Create live key**. Copy the key right away: Backwork shows the full `bwk_live_` key only once and stores only a hash of it.

Keys created here have the `read` scope, which covers every lookup, policy, coverage, prior-auth, claim, and read-only agent-tool endpoint. Only organization owners and admins can create keys. See [Authentication](/docs/authentication) for scopes and revoking.

Keep the key out of your code:

```bash
export BACKWORK_API_KEY=bwk_live_...
```

## 3. Make your first call [#3-make-your-first-call]

Look up CPT code 99213 and the coverage policies that list it:

```bash
curl "https://backworkhealth.com/api/v1/codes/lookup?code=99213&include=policies" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $BACKWORK_API_KEY"
```

The response has this shape (values shortened):

```json
{
  "success": true,
  "data": {
    "code": "99213",
    "code_system": "CPT",
    "found": true,
    "description": "...",
    "policies": [
      {
        "policy_id": "L...",
        "title": "...",
        "policy_type": "LCD",
        "disposition": "...",
        "source": "document",
        "jurisdiction": "...",
        "effective_date": "...",
        "source_url": "https://..."
      }
    ]
  },
  "meta": {
    "request_id": "req_...",
    "timestamp": "...",
    "includes": ["policies"],
    "fuzzy_enabled": true,
    "attributions": { "disclaimer": "..." }
  }
}
```

Each policy entry says where its code came from in `source`. `document` means the policy document lists the code; `inferred_title_match` means Backwork attached it because the policy title names the drug. See [Code sources](/docs/code-sources).

The full schema and every parameter are in the [`lookupCode` reference](/docs/api/lookupCode).

## 4. Check your remaining credits [#4-check-your-remaining-credits]

This call cost 1 credit. Open [API usage and keys](https://backworkhealth.com/api-usage) to see the balance and the recent activity for each endpoint.

When the balance cannot cover a call, the API answers `402` with `BILLING_CREDITS_EXHAUSTED` and does not run the call. Buy a Credits pack or start a monthly pack on the same page, then send the request again. See [When credits run out](/docs/pricing#when-credits-run-out).

## Next steps [#next-steps]

<Cards>
  <Card title="Pricing and credits" href="/docs/pricing" description="Packs, overage, and what each endpoint costs" />

  <Card title="API reference" href="/docs/api" description="Every endpoint with parameters and example responses" />

  <Card title="Connect an AI client" href="/docs/mcp" description="Add the hosted MCP server to Claude, Cursor, VS Code, or Codex" />

  <Card title="Errors" href="/docs/errors" description="Every error code, its hint, and whether to retry" />
</Cards>