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

## Overview {#overview}

The Merchant Identifier service helps enrich transaction data with detailed information about the merchant who participated in the transaction. This tutorial guides you through the process of on-boarding and being able to consume this data.

Tip:

###### Postman Collections Quick Start {#postman-collections-quick-start}

If you are already ready to start making calls you can head over to our [Postman Collections page](https://developer.mastercard.com/merchant-identifier/documentation/postman-collection/index.md) to leverage sandbox and production environments without having to write code.

<br />

> #### You can follow this guide to learn: {#you-can-follow-this-guide-to-learn}
>
> * How to create a project for the service.   
> * How Mastercard approaches authentication.   
> * How to generate your own API client.   
> * How to make calls the sandbox or 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 mocked, rich, data, that will help you understand the data points the API provides, along with their structure.

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, acquirer.
4. Provide the client company name and client company address (if applicable).   
5. Select 'Merchant Identifier' for API service.   
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. ![Project](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/merchant-identifier/uploads/quickstart/enter-project-image.PNG)
7. Download, and keep safe, your PKCS#12 (.p12) keystore file.
8. Create a key alias and keystore password, note this. ![Oauth](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/merchant-identifier/uploads/quickstart/Oauth-key-image.avif)
9. Save your sandbox credentials. ![Project](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/merchant-identifier/uploads/quickstart/create-project-image.avif)
10. Once you complete this flow you will land on the project page. From this page take note of your consumer key and begin testing.

## 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).

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". ![Project](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/merchant-identifier/uploads/quickstart/request-prod-image.PNG)
2. Enter your Production key alias and keystore password. ![Project](https://static.developer.mastercard.com/content/merchant-identifier/uploads/quickstart/enter-your-image.avif)
3. Save your key alias and keystore password for future reference.
4. Confirm and download your production keys. Note: Production Credentials are generated instantaneously, but they still need to be approved for Production environment access before you can go live. Once your Production access request has been reviewed, you will receive a notification confirming your access has been approved or denied.