# Quick Start Guide
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/doconomy-aland-index/documentation/quick-start-guide/index.md

## Overview {#overview}

This guide walks through the steps required to create a new Doconomy Aland Index API project and how to gain access to the Sandbox and Production environment.
Tip: **Postman Collections Quick Start:** If you are already ready to start making calls you can head over to our [Postman Collection](https://developer.mastercard.com/doconomy-aland-index/documentation/postman-collection/index.md) to leverage Sandbox and Production environments without having to write code.
>
> #### You can follow this guide to learn: {#you-can-follow-this-guide-to-learn}
>
> * How to create a project for the service.
> * How Mastercard Developers approaches authentication.
> * How to generate your credentials and API client.
> * How to get access to Sandbox and Production.

## Accessing The API {#accessing-the-api}

1. Navigate to [Mastercard Developers](https://developer.mastercard.com/) and click sign up and create an account.
2. Activate your account by opening the link sent to your email address, and log in.
3. Request access to the API if needed. APIs with a 'lock icon' require permission to view their documentation and create a project. To gain access to these services, you will need to submit an access request form. Once submitted, you will receive an email confirmation approving or denying your access.

## Generate Your Credentials {#generate-your-credentials}

To generate your Sandbox and Production credentials you must create a new Mastercard Developers project. Generating Sandbox credentials will give you access to our Sandbox, which has rich, mocked data, that will help you understand the API.

1. Create a project on your [My Projects](https://developer.mastercard.com/dashboard) page.
2. Name your project.
3. Indicate whether you are creating a project on behalf of a client.

Note: Check "yes" if you are creating an API integration project for a customer. For example, you could be an integrator, a processor, or a service provider and the customer could be a merchant, issuer, or acquirer.

4. Provide the client company name and client company address (if applicable).
5. In the 'Select your API service' field select 'Doconomy Aland Index'.
6. Provide the commercial countries for the project. This field represents where your client is doing business.

Note: If you are creating a project on-behalf of a client, the Commercial countries represent where your client is doing business.

![Quick Start Guide Step 1](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/doconomy-aland-index/Images/quick-start-guide/quick-start-guide-1.png)

7. Proceed to create your 'Project Credentials'. Create a key alias and keystore password, note this.

![Quick Start Guide Step 2](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/doconomy-aland-index/Images/quick-start-guide/quick-start-guide-2.png)

8. Download, and keep safe, your PKCS#12 (.p12) keystore file.
9. Save your Sandbox credentials.

![Quick Start Guide Step 3](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/doconomy-aland-index/Images/quick-start-guide/quick-start-guide-3.png)
Note: You are required to capture Keystore password and key alias shown on the screen. The keystore password is used in conjunction with the .p12 file and Client ID for OAuth authentication. Click Download Key file to complete the Sandbox setup process.

Contact the API Support team or email at [carboncalculator@mastercard.com](mailto:carboncalculator@mastercard.com) with any questions or feedback.

10. Once you complete this flow you will land on the Project page. From the Project page take note of your: 1) Sandbox and Production status ('Ready/ Not Requested'), 2) Sandbox and Production credentials: authentication consumer key and client encryption key fingerprint.

## Integrate {#integrate}

### Generate your own API client {#generate-your-own-api-client}

1. Navigate to the API documentation page.
2. Download the API specification (OpenAPI or Swagger).
3. Generate and configure an API client for this API.
4. Configure your client using our [client libraries](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/security-and-authentication/securing-sensitive-data-using-payload-encryption/#client-libraries).

### Testing the service {#testing-the-service}

You can test our service using three different methods:

1. Using Postman: If you are using Postman, please follow our [Postman Tutorial](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/tutorial/use-postman-for-mastercard-apis/).
2. Using Insomnia: If you are using Insomnia, please follow our [Insomnia Tutorial](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/tutorial/use-insomnia-rest-client-for-mastercard-apis/).
3. Using our Reference Application: If you are using our reference application, please go to our [Reference Application](https://developer.mastercard.com/doconomy-aland-index/documentation/reference-app/index.md) page.

For more information on testing, see our [Integration and Testing](https://developer.mastercard.com/doconomy-aland-index/documentation/integration-and-testing/index.md) page.
Note: For a detailed step-by-step guide, see [Generating and Configuring a Mastercard API Client](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/security-and-authentication/generating-and-configuring-a-mastercard-api-client/).

## Go-Live {#go-live}

After you have tested your implementation in our Sandbox environments, it is time to **Move to Production.**

### Steps to moving to production {#steps-to-moving-to-production}

1. Within your project, select "Request Production Access".

![Quick Start Guide Step 5](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/doconomy-aland-index/Images/quick-start-guide/quick-start-guide-5.png)

2. Enter your Production key alias and keystore password.Click **Proceed** to generate a 2048-bit key pair that will be used for Carbon Calculator API calls.

![Quick Start Guide Step 6](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/doconomy-aland-index/Images/quick-start-guide/quick-start-guide-6.png)

3. Save your key alias and keystore password for future reference.
4. Confirm and download your Production keys.
5. Once you complete this process, the Mastercard API Support Team will review and approve your request for production access. You will receive an email from Mastercard Developers to your registered email address, depending upon the outcome of the review.

Note: Typically, it takes 3-5 working days to review and approve the Carbon Calculator APIs production access request.

### API Consumer Onboarding {#api-consumer-onboarding}

* Using the production keys, you can validate [Transaction footprints](https://developer.mastercard.com/doconomy-aland-index/documentation/api-reference/index.md#apis) API by referring [Integration and testing](https://developer.mastercard.com/doconomy-aland-index/documentation/integration-and-testing/index.md) section to test authentication and validate your connectivity.
* In case of failure, email at [carboncalculator@mastercard.com](mailto:carboncalculator@mastercard.com).

## Next Steps {#next-steps}

Now that you have access to the service, you can begin testing, proceed to the [Use Cases](https://developer.mastercard.com/doconomy-aland-index/documentation/use-cases/index.md) section to learn about the different use cases of the service.