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

# Quickstart

> Make your first KYC check in under 5 minutes

## Get Started

Perform your first compliance check with the KYC API in three simple steps.

### Step 1: Get Your API Credentials

Contact your account administrator to obtain API credentials. You'll receive either:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="user" title="JWT Token (for user applications)">
    Temporary tokens issued through your authentication provider (Cognito). Ideal for web applications and mobile apps.

    **Validity**: Typically 1 hour\
    **Best for**: User-facing applications, frontend integrations
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="server" title="API Key (for server integrations)">
    Permanent credentials for machine-to-machine integrations.

    **Format**: `sk_xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx`\
    **Best for**: Backend services, automated integrations, scheduled jobs

    <Tip>Store API keys securely in environment variables or secrets manager.</Tip>
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Step 2: Choose Your Environment

Select the appropriate environment for your needs:

| Environment    | URL                              | Purpose                 |
| -------------- | -------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| **Staging**    | `https://stg.kyc.legaltalent.ai` | Testing and integration |
| **Production** | `https://kyc.legaltalent.ai`     | Live operations         |

<Note>
  Start with **Staging** for development and testing. Move to **Production** when you're ready to go live.
</Note>

### Step 3: Make Your First Request

Check an entity against the OFAC sanctions list:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://stg.kyc.legaltalent.ai/kyc \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "subject": {
      "full_name": "John Doe",
      "nationality": "US"
    },
    "list_name": "ofac",
    "search_type": "composite"
  }'
```

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion icon="check-circle" title="Success Response">
    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "status": "success",
      "result": {
        "is_match": false,
        "list_name": "ofac",
        "match_count": 0,
        "matches": [],
        "processing_time_ms": 850
      },
      "execution_context": {
        "request_id": "abc-123-def",
        "timestamp": "2024-11-22T10:30:00Z"
      }
    }
    ```

    **No match found** - Entity is clear from OFAC sanctions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion icon="exclamation-triangle" title="Match Found">
    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "status": "success",
      "result": {
        "is_match": true,
        "list_name": "ofac",
        "match_count": 1,
        "matches": [
          {
            "entity_id": "12345",
            "name": "John Doe",
            "confidence_score": 0.95,
            "match_type": "composite",
            "programs": ["SDGT"]
          }
        ],
        "processing_time_ms": 1250
      }
    }
    ```

    **Match found** - Entity appears on OFAC sanctions list. Review required.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Common Use Cases

Now that you've made your first request, explore common integration patterns:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Check Multiple Lists" icon="layer-group" href="/api-reference/list-check#check-multiple-lists-synchronous">
    Screen against OFAC, UN, and EU lists simultaneously.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Crypto Wallet Screening" icon="bitcoin" href="/api-reference/list-check#check-cryptocurrency-wallet">
    Validate cryptocurrency wallet addresses against sanctions.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Adverse Media Checks" icon="newspaper" href="/api-reference/adverse-media">
    AI-powered screening for negative news and risk factors.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Ongoing Monitoring" icon="radar" href="/api-reference/watchlists">
    Set up automated watchlist monitoring with alerts.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Next Steps

<Steps>
  <Step title="Review Authentication">
    Learn about [JWT tokens vs API keys](/api-reference/auth) and permission requirements.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Explore Endpoints">
    Browse the [full API reference](/api-reference/introduction) for all available features.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Understand Rate Limits">
    Review [rate limiting and WAF protection](/api-reference/introduction#rate-limiting) to optimize your integration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export Results">
    Generate [PDF reports](/api-reference/export) for compliance documentation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  **Production Checklist**

  * ✅ Use Production API keys (not Staging keys)
  * ✅ Implement proper error handling
  * ✅ Store credentials securely
  * ✅ Monitor usage metrics
  * ✅ Set up webhook endpoints for watchlist alerts
</Warning>