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

# Getting started with the Blockchain API

> Create an account, get an API key, and make your first JSON-RPC request.

This guide takes you from a new account to your first JSON-RPC request in a few minutes. Everything happens in the [Blockops dashboard](https://app.blockops.network). For the wallet platform, start with [First wallet & transaction](/get-started/first-wallet-and-transaction) instead.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create your account">
    Sign up with Google, GitHub, or an email address, then verify your email. See [Create your account](/get-started/create-your-account) for the details of each option.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a project and choose a network">
    Open **Blockchain API** in the dashboard and create a project. Give it a unique name and select the network you want to connect to, for example Ethereum Mainnet or Ethereum Sepolia.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Copy your endpoint and API key">
    Once a network is selected, the project shows an **HTTP** endpoint for standard JSON-RPC requests and a **WSS** endpoint for subscriptions. Your API key is shown on the right of the project page.

    Authenticate either with the header `authorization: APIKEY <your key>` or with the query string `?api_key=<your key>`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make your first request">
    Ask the network for its latest block number:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -H "authorization: APIKEY <your key>" \
      -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"eth_blockNumber","params":[],"id":1}' \
      https://ethereum-rpc.blockops.network
    ```

    A successful response looks like this:

    ```json theme={null}
    {"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"result":"0x10666b"}
    ```

    Every request is a `POST`. Private endpoints allow 1000 requests per second; see [Rate limits & error codes](/blockchain-infrastructure/blockchain-api/rate-limits-and-errors) before you go to production.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Keep your key safe

Treat the API key as a secret. If it is exposed, rotate it from the project page with **Rotate Key**; the old key stops working immediately. See [Endpoints, keys & authentication](/blockchain-infrastructure/blockchain-api/endpoints-and-authentication).

## Where to next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Network guides" icon="globe" href="/overview/supported-networks">
    Endpoints and examples for each supported network.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Common RPC methods" icon="code" href="/blockchain-infrastructure/blockchain-api/rpc-methods-and-examples">
    The methods most integrations use, with cURL, wscat and Polkadot JS examples.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deploy a node" icon="server" href="/blockchain-infrastructure/node-operations/overview">
    Run your own nodes with Mission Control on a cloud provider or your own servers.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Support" icon="life-ring" href="/get-started/support">
    How to reach us when the documentation does not answer your question.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>