> 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.