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

# Quickstart

> Make your first Finesse API call in a few minutes.

You'll need a **Finesse account** with at least one voice and an **API key**. This guide takes you
from a key to synthesized audio.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create an API key">
    In the Finesse dashboard, go to **Settings → API keys** and create a key. Copy the `flv_…` secret -
    it's shown only once.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set your environment">
    ```bash theme={null}
    export FLAM_API_KEY="flv_..."   # the key you just created
    ```

    The API is served at `https://fi.production.flamapis.com` - all examples below use it directly.
  </Step>

  <Step title="List the voices available to you">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl "https://fi.production.flamapis.com/flam-voice-svc/api/v1/public/voices" \
      -H "X-API-Key: $FLAM_API_KEY"
    ```

    Pick a voice `id` from the response. Only voices with status `ready` can synthesize - see
    [Working with voices](/concepts/voices).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Synthesize speech">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X POST \
      "https://fi.production.flamapis.com/flam-voice-svc/api/v1/public/voices/<VOICE_ID>/speak" \
      -H "X-API-Key: $FLAM_API_KEY" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"text":"Hello from Finesse.","output_format":"wav"}' \
      --output speech.wav
    ```

    That writes a `speech.wav` you can play. 🎧
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/guides/authentication">
    How API keys work and how to keep them safe.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Stream audio" icon="bolt" href="/voice-api/stream-speech">
    Start playback before the full clip is ready.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Synthesize parameters" icon="sliders" href="/voice-api/synthesize-parameters">
    Language, output format, and expressiveness.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Errors" icon="triangle-exclamation" href="/voice-api/errors">
    Status codes and how to handle them.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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