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

# Introduction

> Learn how the Novacal API works, how authentication is handled, and what to expect from requests and responses.

## 1. Base URL

The Novacal API follows standard REST conventions and is available only over HTTPS
to protect request data and credentials in transit. Plain HTTP is not
supported.

Use the following base URL for all API requests:

```bash theme={null}
https://api.novacal.io
```

## 2. Create an API key

The Novacal API uses API keys to authenticate requests. If a request is sent
without a valid API key, the API will return an authentication error.

Create an API key from the [API Keys settings page](https://app.novacal.io/settings/api-keys),
then include it as a bearer token in your request headers:

```bash theme={null}
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY
```

## 3. Test authentication

Make a simple authenticated request to confirm your API key is working:

```bash theme={null}
curl --request GET \
  --url https://api.novacal.io/v1/users/me \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  --header "Accept: application/json"
```

If the request succeeds, your API key is valid and you are ready to continue.

## Response format

Successful responses use this shape:

```json theme={null}
{
  "success": true,
  "data": {}
}
```

## Rate limits

The default limit is `60 requests per minute` per API key. If you exceed that, the API returns `429 Too Many Requests`.

## Next steps

* Connect an MCP client with [MCP](/api-reference/mcp)
* Explore the full [Events reference](/api-reference/v1/events/get)
* Explore the full [Event Types reference](/api-reference/v1/event-types/get)
* Review [Errors](/api-reference/errors)