# Quick Start Guide
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/ethoca-alerts-for-merchants/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/quick-start-guide/index.md

Use this quick start guide to quickly create a new project and generate the keys required for the Alerts for Merchants API Sandbox environment.
Note: We recommend using Open API generator to integrate with APIs. See [Generating and Configuring a Mastercard API Client](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/security-and-authentication/generating-and-configuring-a-mastercard-api-client/) for more information.

## Create a New Project {#create-a-new-project}

1. Go to your [dashboard](https://developer.mastercard.com/dashboard).
2. Select **Create New Project** from the upper right.
3. In the dropdown list, select **Ethoca Alerts Merchant API**.
4. After you've made your choices, select **Continue**.
5. Enter a name for your project. You can also choose to invite other team members to view and work on your project.
6. Select **Continue**.

### Sandbox OAuth credentials {#sandbox-oauth-credentials}

1. Select **Download PKCS#12 Keystore** to download a zip file containing the .p12 file required for OAuth authentication in Sandbox.
2. After download completes, select **Continue**.
3. Enter a keyalias and keystore password for each area and make a note for use later. The keystore password is used in conjunction with the .p12 file and Client ID for OAuth authentication.
4. Select **Confirm and Continue** to complete the Sandbox Setup process.

See [Using OAuth 1.0a to Access Mastercard APIs](https://developer.mastercard.com/platform/documentation/security-and-authentication/using-oauth-1a-to-access-mastercard-apis/) for more information about using OAuth 1.0a.

### Import sandbox keys {#import-sandbox-keys}

Open the zip file you downloaded in the previous steps. Import the Sandbox keys (the *.p12* file) according to your specific development environment using the Keystore Password for sandbox, which you downloaded as well. For example, in our [Reference Application Tutorial](https://developer.mastercard.com/ethoca-alerts-for-merchants/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/reference-app-tutorial/index.md), we copy the *.p12* file to the `resources` folder in our sample Maven project.

Your Project page shows the consumer key that applies to your environment. The consumer key is a 97 character string separated by an exclamation mark. The format is `<client_id>!<key_id>`. The **Mastercard API Client ID** is the first 48 characters of this key (`<client_Id>`), which uniquely identifies the API calling Financial Institution(Issuer) or Merchant.

## Test in Sandbox {#test-in-sandbox}

You are now ready to test the full functionality of the Alerts for Merchants API in sandbox.

* Contact the [Ethoca Product Support Team](mailto:productsupport@ethoca.com) for assistance in getting access to the sandbox.
* Walk through our [Reference Application Tutorial](https://developer.mastercard.com/ethoca-alerts-for-merchants/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/reference-app-tutorial/index.md) to learn how to make calls to the Alerts for Merchants API in your sandbox.

## Move to Production {#move-to-production}

When ready, you can request Production access for your project, which requires approval from Mastercard and assistance from the [Ethoca Customer Delivery Team](mailto:customerdelivery@ethoca.com).

Reach out to the Customer Delivery Team, who will provide you with a form that you'll submit with information such as your customer contact details. Approval typically takes two to five days, depending on the specific terms of your contract.

## Next Steps {#next-steps}

* Check out our [Reference Application Tutorial](https://developer.mastercard.com/ethoca-alerts-for-merchants/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/reference-app-tutorial/index.md) for step-by-step guidance in testing your API with requests made by the Alerts for Merchants API in a sandbox environment.
* Use the [API Reference](https://developer.mastercard.com/ethoca-alerts-for-merchants/documentation/api-reference/index.md) information for details about the fields and values relevant to your specific needs.