# Quick start

Make your first Lets Gen API request.

## 1. Create a personal API key

Open [Lets Gen](https://letsgen.app), sign in, and open **Settings → API keys**. Create a key with **read** and **generate** access. Set a monthly Gem cap and an expiration appropriate for your integration. Copy the secret when it is shown: it is displayed only once.

Store it on your server as `LETSGEN_API_KEY`. Never include it in a browser bundle, public repository, screenshot, or prompt. Use a secret manager or your platform's environment settings.

You can also manage these same personal keys on [WeGen](https://wegen.art/developer/api-keys), using its standalone **API keys** page in the workspace or account menu.

## 2. Discover models

All URLs in this reference use the API base URL `https://letsgen.app`. Prefer a terminal workflow? Start with the [Lets Gen CLI](/docs/cli).

```bash
curl https://letsgen.app/api/generate/models \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LETSGEN_API_KEY"
```

Choose an image model ID from the response. Check `available` when present and its `capabilities`; some video entries do not report an availability flag. Do not infer availability from an absent flag. Model IDs and capabilities can change; discover them instead of copying provider model names.

## 3. Submit an image

This example spends account Gems. Set `maxGems` to your approved per-request ceiling, and replace `MODEL_ID` with an image model from discovery. A low ceiling can return `PRICE_CHANGED`; do not silently raise it.

```bash
curl https://letsgen.app/api/generate/image \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LETSGEN_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -H 'Idempotency-Key: my-project-image-001' \
  --data '{
    "model": "MODEL_ID",
    "prompt": "A white ceramic mug on a sunlit kitchen table",
    "parameters": {"outputCount": 1},
    "maxGems": 10
  }'
```

Persist the body and idempotency key **before** sending. A new request returns HTTP `202` with `{task, created: true}`. Record `task.id` immediately. An accepted media replay normally returns HTTP `200` with the same task and `created: false`.

## 4. Read the task and save outputs

```bash
curl https://letsgen.app/api/generate/tasks/TASK_ID \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $LETSGEN_API_KEY"
```

Poll with backoff, for example 2, 4, 8, then 15 seconds. Stop at `succeeded`, `partial`, `failed`, or `cancelled`. Download successful `task.outputs[].asset.url` values and retain the files. URLs can expire: read the task again for a current URL rather than generating again.

## Next steps

- [Authentication](/docs/authentication): key scopes and account policies.
- [Budgets and retries](/docs/budgets-and-retries): reservations, idempotency, and uncertain outcomes.
- [Generation API](/docs/api): every supported public generation endpoint.
- [For AI agents](/docs/agents): install the skill and work in plain language.