Auth API Quickstart: Authenticate Your First Request in 5 Minutes

What you will learn

In this guide, you will:

Authenticate your first API request using OAuth 2.0
Understand how API access is controlled
See how authentication connects to usage tracking and billing

→ See: API Monetization Guide

Before you start

Make sure you have:

an API key or client credentials
access to the API dashboard
a tool like curl or Postman

Step 1: Get your API credentials

Go to your dashboard and create:

Client ID
Client Secret

These credentials identify your application and control access.

Access is often tied to a plan or subscription level.

→ See: Entitlement Management API

Step 2: Request an access token

Use OAuth 2.0 to get a token:

curl -X POST https://api.yourservice.com/oauth/token \
  -d "client_id=YOUR_CLIENT_ID" \
  -d "client_secret=YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET" \
  -d "grant_type=client_credentials"

Response

{
  "access_token": "YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN",
  "expires_in": 3600
}

Step 3: Make your first API request

Use the token:

curl https://api.yourservice.com/v1/resource \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN"

Step 4: Understand what happens behind the scenes

Each request:

Authenticates your identity
Checks your access rights (plan, permissions)
Records usage for tracking and billing

→ See: Usage Tracking Architecture → See: Usage-Based Billing Architecture

Usage and limits

Your API usage may be limited based on your plan:

number of requests per minute
number of requests per month
access to specific endpoints

Exceeding limits may result in errors or additional charges.

→ See: Entitlement Management API

Common errors

401 Unauthorized

Invalid or expired token

403 Forbidden

Access not allowed for your plan

429 Too Many Requests

Rate limit exceeded

Best practices

Store credentials securely
Refresh tokens before expiration
Monitor usage to avoid limits
Optimize requests to reduce costs

→ See: Usage Tracking Architecture

FAQ

What is OAuth 2.0?

OAuth 2.0 is a standard protocol used to securely authenticate API requests.

Why do I need an access token?

The token proves your identity and allows the API to track and control your usage.

Does every request count toward usage?

Yes. Each authenticated request is typically tracked and may be billed depending on your plan.

What happens if I exceed my limits?

Requests may be blocked or billed depending on your pricing model.

Key takeaways

Authentication is the first step in using an API
It controls access and connects to monetization systems
Every request can be tracked and billed
Clear documentation improves onboarding and reduces errors