> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.gridstatus.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.gridstatus.io/developers/getting-started/readme.md).

# API Authentication

To use the API, you will need to obtain an API key. API keys are used to identify and authenticate your requests to the API. If you don't have an API key, you can make one by clicking button below

<a href="https://www.gridstatus.io/settings/api" class="button primary">Get API Key</a>

Once you have your API key, you can authenticate in one of two ways:

**Option 1: Add it to the header**

```
curl -H "Accept-Encoding: br, gzip" -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" https://api.gridstatus.io/v1/datasets
```

**Option 2: Use the `api_key` query parameter**

```bash
curl -H "Accept-Encoding: br, gzip" "https://api.gridstatus.io/v1/datasets?api_key=YOUR_API_KEY"
```

Make sure to replace `'YOUR_API_KEY'` with your actual API key.

For instructions on authenticating via the Python client, please[ refer to this page](/developers/getting-started/python-client.md).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.gridstatus.io/developers/getting-started/readme.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.