# Getting Started

### Prerequisites

* A Nansen account with API access
* An API key from your [Nansen Dashboard](https://app.nansen.ai) or through [Agent Setup Link](https://app.nansen.ai/auth/agent-setup)

### Quick Start

#### 1. Set Up Authentication

All API requests require your API key in the `apikey` header:

```bash
curl -X POST 'https://api.nansen.ai/api/v1/smart-money/holdings' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -H 'apikey: YOUR_API_KEY' \
  -d '{"chains": ["ethereum"]}'
```

#### 2. Make Your First Request

```python
import httpx

response = httpx.post(
    "https://api.nansen.ai/api/v1/smart-money/holdings",
    headers={
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
        "apikey": "YOUR_API_KEY"
    },
    json={
        "chains": ["ethereum"],
        "pagination": {"page": 1, "per_page": 10}
    }
)

print(response.json())
```

#### 3. Understand the Response

```json
{
  "data": [
    {
      "chain": "ethereum",
      "token_address": "0x6982508145454ce325ddbe47a25d4ec3d2311933",
      "token_symbol": "PEPE",
      "value_usd": 15000000.50,
      "holders_count": 1250,
      "balance_24h_percent_change": 5.25
    }
  ],
  "pagination": {
    "page": 1,
    "per_page": 10,
    "is_last_page": false
  }
}
```

### Next Steps

* Authentication - Detailed auth setup
* Rate Limits - Understand API limits
* Credits System - How credits work
* Pagination - Handle large datasets
* Error Handling - Handle errors gracefully
* Best Practices - Optimize your integration


---

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