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

# Authentication

> Using your API key

Once you have an API key, you can query the endpoints that you've been granted access to.

If you don't already have an API key, be sure to follow this guide:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Don't have an API key?" icon="key" href="request-api-key">
    Request an API key
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

The server requires authentication. Pass your API key using **either** a custom header **or** a bearer token:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash x-api-key header theme={null}
  curl --request GET \
    --url https://api.statista.ai/v1/<ENDPOINT> \
    --header 'x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY'
  ```

  ```bash Authorization bearer theme={null}
  curl --request GET \
    --url https://api.statista.ai/v1/<ENDPOINT> \
    --header 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Your API key authenticates each session and provides access to the MCP Server.

## Explore

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Playground" icon="rocket" href="/api-reference/discovery-advanced/get-search-statistics">
    Get started quickly by running a curl command
  </Card>

  <Card title="Explore API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Learn more about the data you can retrieve with the Statista API
  </Card>
</CardGroup>