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

# Quickstart

> Build with Clay from your coding agent, or call the Clay API from your own applications.

There are two ways to use Clay as a developer: install the agent plugin to build with Clay inside your coding agent, or call the Public API directly from your own applications and services.

## Agent plugin

The agent plugin gives your coding agent Clay's skills, MCP tools, and the `clay` CLI — the fastest way to build with Clay from any coding agent.

Copy this into your agent of choice and let it install and set up the plugin for you:

```
Install the Clay plugin by following the steps in
https://github.com/clay-run/agent-plugins/blob/main/GETTING_STARTED.md
```

<Card title="Agent plugin repository" href="https://github.com/clay-run/agent-plugins">
  Manual install and setup instructions for Claude Code, Codex, and Cursor.
</Card>

## API

Use the Public API to call Clay from your own applications and services — backend jobs, internal tools, queues, and product features. Requests authenticate with a Clay API key in the `clay-api-key` header.

<Card title="API reference" href="/api-reference/me/get-the-authenticated-user">
  Endpoint paths, request bodies, response schemas, and an interactive try-it console.
</Card>

### Get an API key

You can create an API key two ways:

* Ask your agent to generate one for you after installing the [agent plugin](#agent-plugin).
* Create one yourself in Clay under [Settings → Account → API keys (beta)](https://app.clay.com/workspaces/~/settings/account?accountTab=api-keys-beta).

Keep keys server-side. Do not expose them in browser code, mobile apps, public repositories, logs, or analytics tools. See [Authentication](/public-api/authentication) for details.