# Mastercard Developers API
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-developers-api/documentation/index.md

## Overview {#overview}

The Mastercard Developers API exposes Mastercard Developers portal as an API, allowing you to integrate and interact with Mastercard Developers programmatically. The Developers API and the [Mastercard Developers Dashboard](https://developer.mastercard.com/dashboard) function identically. All tasks performed on the Mastercard Developers Dashboard can also be accomplished using the Developers API. For instance, if you create a project via the API, you'll see it in your dashboard and vice versa.

Developers API aims to streamline processes, automate tasks, and enhance operational efficiency in managing projects. This means that project owners can automate various processes and workflows, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing human error.

One of the key advantages of the Developers API is its flexibility and scalability. It can cater to product-specific use cases, accommodating the unique requirements of different services and partners. As a Mastercard Partner, you can leverage the Developers API to perform a range of tasks. For instance, you can use the API to onboard and manage your end customers, allowing for seamless customer management and account provisioning. Additionally, you can automate key/credential management to ensure continuous and secure access to Mastercard services.

Capabilities that the Developers API offers:

### Automate Processes {#automate-processesbr}

Automate key management to reduce the effort involved in tracking and planning key renewals or rotations

### Standardized Onboarding {#standardized-onboarding--br}

Establish a standardized and repeatable onboarding process for your customers   

### Efficient Customer Operations {#efficient-customer-operations-br}

Execute customer operations more quickly and efficiently

## How It Works {#how-it-works}

Integrate with the Developers API to automate a number of operational tasks such as onboarding and managing customers, creating and managing keys/credentials.

The following diagram shows a high-level overview of the different operations you can perform with the Developers API.

![MCD APIs overview](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/mastercard-developers-api/documentation/images/howitworks_4.png "Developers APIs")

## Getting Started {#getting-started}

### Before You Start {#before-you-start}

To start using the API, log in to Mastercard Developers and request keys from your [Account](https://developer.mastercard.com/account/profile) page. Once your keys are approved you can access the Developers API. To learn how to create keys, follow the steps provided in *Generate API Credentials* section of the [Quick Start Guide](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-developers-api/documentation/quick-start-guide/index.md).

### Good to Know {#good-to-know}

* To know more about how the API works, refer to [Use Cases](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-developers-api/documentation/use-cases/index.md)
* To understand the request and response format of the API, their models, and examples, refer to [API Reference](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-developers-api/documentation/api-reference/index.md)
* To learn more about the Developers API's terminology and concepts, refer to [Glossary](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-developers-api/documentation/glossary/index.md)

## Next Steps {#next-steps}

Refer to [API Basics](https://developer.mastercard.com/mastercard-developers-api/documentation/api-basics/index.md) to learn more about how to authenticate your calls and access the Developers API.