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

# Quickstart

Before you can begin interacting with our APIs, you first need to [create a Sendcloud account](https://account.sendcloud.com/signup/) and complete the basic account setup.

1. Follow the steps in [Getting started with Sendcloud](https://support.sendcloud.com/hc/en-us/articles/360024833452-Getting-started-with-Sendcloud-) to set up your account, add an invoice address, and add a [sender address](/docs/getting-started/sender-addresses/).
2. [Enable some carriers](https://support.sendcloud.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025133311-Choose-your-carriers-) in your Sendcloud account
3. [Connect a direct carrier contract](/docs/getting-started/carrier-contracts/) (optional)
4. [Create your API keys](/docs/getting-started/how-to-create-your-api-keys/) to start making API requests.

## Integrating with Sendcloud APIs

You can integrate with our APIs in various ways, depending on your specific needs. Sendcloud provides plug-and-play integrations with 100+ of the most [popular e-commerce systems](https://www.sendcloud.com/integrations/).

<Info>
  If your online store is already supported by our pre-built plugins then you can easily connect it to Sendcloud and
  begin taking advantage of our hassle-free shipping solutions by following the appropriate [integration
  guideline](https://support.sendcloud.com/hc/en-us/categories/360001557291-Integrations).
</Info>

If you're looking to automate your current workflow, then our APIs provide you access
to our core shipping products and features that are normally available through our
UI interface ([Sendcloud platform](https://app.sendcloud.com/)).

<Card title="API v3 reference" icon="cog" href="/api/v3/" horizontal>
  Start building with our APIs
</Card>

## Postman

The fastest way to begin testing and experimenting with our APIs is to grab one of our [Postman collections](https://www.postman.com/sendcloud-api). If you're new to Postman, you can read the [relevant guides](https://learning.postman.com/docs/getting-started/introduction/) on how to set it up and start developing with Sendcloud APIs in a matter of minutes!

<Card title="Postman" icon="https://mintcdn.com/sendcloud/XCwUHYDXpvdKQUUZ/images/icons/postman.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=XCwUHYDXpvdKQUUZ&q=85&s=c7b2310d512e8bfefa006e98f4b0c4c8" href="/docs/getting-started/postman/" horizontal width="2500" height="2500" data-path="images/icons/postman.svg">
  Quickly onboard with our Postman collections
</Card>

## API tutorials

1. Learn how to make an API call to [create your first shipment](/docs/shipping/create-a-parcel)
2. [Retrieve and compare rates](/docs/shipping/shipping-rates) across an extensive list of shipping options and choose the one that best suits you
3. Now that you've created your parcel it's time to [download your label](/docs/shipping/create-a-parcel).
4. Create a [return parcel](/docs/returns/return-portal) from anywhere in the world through the [Returns API](/api/v3/returns/)
5. [Track the status of your parcel](/docs/parcel-tracking) via our Parcel tracking API

## Need a little help?

<Card title="Support" icon="question-circle" href="https://support.sendcloud.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046514071-How-to-get-support-from-Sendcloud#2" horizontal>
  If you have additional questions or want to reach out to our support please visit this Help Center article to learn
  more.
</Card>