# Getting Started

Get up and running with the Rick and Morty API in a few quick steps. You'll need an API key to authenticate your requests — no portal gun required.

## 1. Create an account

Click the **Sign In** button in the top navigation to create an account via Auth0. You can sign up with your email or use a social login.

## 2. Choose a plan

Once signed in, head to the API Reference and subscribe to a plan:

| Plan | Rate Limit | Best For |
|------|-----------|----------|
| **Dimension C-137** (Free) | 100 requests/min | Exploring the API, hobby projects |
| **Cronenberg** (Paid) | 1,000 requests/min | Apps and integrations |
| **Pickle Rick** (Paid) | 10,000 requests/min | Production workloads, interdimensional scale |

<Callout type="tip">
Want to test a paid plan? Use the test card number `4242 4242 4242 4242` with any future expiry date and any CVC.
</Callout>

## 3. Get your API key

After subscribing, your API key will be available in the Developer Portal. Copy it — you'll include it as a Bearer token in every request.

## 4. Make your first request

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with the key from your dashboard:

```bash
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  "https://api.rickandmorty.zuplo.io/v1/characters/1"
```

You should get back Rick Sanchez:

```json
{
  "id": 1,
  "name": "Rick Sanchez",
  "status": "Alive",
  "species": "Human",
  "type": "",
  "gender": "Male",
  "origin": {
    "name": "Earth (C-137)",
    "url": "https://api.rickandmorty.zuplo.io/v1/locations/1"
  },
  "location": {
    "name": "Citadel of Ricks",
    "url": "https://api.rickandmorty.zuplo.io/v1/locations/3"
  },
  "image": "https://api.rickandmorty.zuplo.io/v1/characters/avatar/1.jpeg"
}
```

<Callout type="info">
All requests require a valid API key sent as a **Bearer token** in the `Authorization` header. Requests without a valid key will return a `401 Unauthorized` response.
</Callout>

## Base URL

All API endpoints are served from:

```
https://api.rickandmorty.zuplo.io/v1
```

## Pagination

List endpoints return paginated results with 20 items per page. The response includes an `info` object with pagination metadata:

```json
{
  "info": {
    "count": 826,
    "pages": 42,
    "next": "https://api.rickandmorty.zuplo.io/v1/characters?page=2",
    "prev": null
  },
  "results": [...]
}
```

Use the `page` query parameter to navigate: `?page=2`, `?page=3`, etc.

## Next steps

- [Characters Guide](/characters) — explore character data and filtering
- [Locations Guide](/locations) — browse the multiverse
- [Episodes Guide](/episodes) — find episodes and their casts
- [API Reference](/api) — full interactive API documentation