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

# Quickstart

Get from zero to your first successful blockchain request in a couple of minutes.

{% hint style="info" %}
Want to try FastNode without an account? Selected networks have free [Public RPC Endpoints](/node-apis/public-endpoints.md) — no key needed.
{% endhint %}

## 1. Create an account

Sign up at [fastnode.io](https://fastnode.io) using your email address. That's the only thing you need to start.

Then order a node or request a **free test** for the network you need.

## 2. Get your API key

Keys are issued automatically. After you order a node or request a test, check your inbox — the email contains your `FN…` API key, ready to use immediately with every method in this documentation.

See [API Keys](/getting-started/api-keys.md) for details on keeping your keys secure.

## 3. Your first request

Every request goes to a per-network endpoint in the form `https://<network>.fastnode.cc/<API_KEY>/`.

{% hint style="info" %}
Replace `YOUR-API-KEY` with the key from your dashboard. The examples below use Bitcoin — swap the host for any [supported network](/node-apis/node-apis.md).
{% endhint %}

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="cURL" %}

```bash
curl --location 'https://btc.fastnode.cc/YOUR-API-KEY/' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 1,
    "method": "getblockcount",
    "params": []
  }'
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="JavaScript" %}

```javascript
const res = await fetch("https://btc.fastnode.cc/YOUR-API-KEY/", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    jsonrpc: "2.0",
    id: 1,
    method: "getblockcount",
    params: [],
  }),
});

const data = await res.json();
console.log(data.result);
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Python" %}

```python
import requests

url = "https://btc.fastnode.cc/YOUR-API-KEY/"
payload = {
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 1,
    "method": "getblockcount",
    "params": [],
}

resp = requests.post(url, json=payload)
print(resp.json()["result"])
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Expected response

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "result": 870123
}
```

## Next steps

* Explore the full method list per chain in [Node APIs](/node-apis/node-apis.md).
* Stream live data with the [WebSocket API](/real-time/websocket-api.md).
* Handle errors gracefully using the [Error Codes](/reference/error-codes.md) reference.


---

# 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.fastnode.io/getting-started/quickstart.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.