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

# Quickstart

> Install, authenticate, and make your first call.

## 1. Get an API key

API keys are issued manually during the developer-preview period.

Email **[hello@getbeta.io](mailto:hello@getbeta.io)** with:

* What you're building
* An estimate of monthly call volume

Reply turnaround: within one business day. Self-serve signup is on the [Roadmap](/roadmap).

## 2. Install the MCP server (optional)

For Claude Desktop or any MCP-compatible client:

```bash theme={null}
npx -y @getbeta/mcp
```

Add to your Claude Desktop config (`~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` on macOS):

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "beta": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@getbeta/mcp"],
      "env": {
        "BETA_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Restart Claude Desktop. The BETA tools (`validate`, `enrich`, `timeline`, `corroborate`, `people`) appear in the tool list.

## 3. Make your first call

The API base is `https://api.getbeta.io`. All endpoints accept POST with JSON bodies and require Bearer auth.

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash curl theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://api.getbeta.io/api/v1/enrich \
    -H "Authorization: Bearer $BETA_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{"company": "Anthropic"}'
  ```

  ```javascript JavaScript theme={null}
  const res = await fetch('https://api.getbeta.io/api/v1/enrich', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      'Authorization': `Bearer ${process.env.BETA_API_KEY}`,
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({ company: 'Anthropic' })
  });
  const data = await res.json();
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import os, requests
  res = requests.post(
      'https://api.getbeta.io/api/v1/enrich',
      headers={'Authorization': f'Bearer {os.environ["BETA_API_KEY"]}'},
      json={'company': 'Anthropic'}
  )
  data = res.json()
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Expected response (truncated):

```json theme={null}
{
  "verified": true,
  "confidence": 0.95,
  "entity": {
    "key": "anthropic",
    "name": "Anthropic",
    "type": "private_company",
    "publicUrl": "https://getbeta.io/company/anthropic"
  },
  "context": "Anthropic is executing an aggressive enterprise...",
  "meta": {
    "sources": ["entity_resolution", "entity_summaries"],
    "resolution": { "source": "curated", "confidence": 0.95 }
  }
}
```

## Next

* [Endpoint reference](/endpoints/validate) — full request/response schemas for all 5 endpoints
* [Citation Contract](/citation-contract) — how BETA documents its sources, and what BETA refuses to assert
* [Recipes](/recipes/ground-customer-email) — multi-endpoint integration patterns for common agent flows