# Quick Start Guide
source: https://developer.mastercard.com/merchant-self-services/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 Merchant Self Services 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 **Merchant Self Services**.
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. Make a note of the 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.
4. Select **Confirm and Continue** to complete the Sandbox Setup process.

### 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/merchant-self-services/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 Merchant Self Services API in sandbox. You can walk through our [Reference Application Tutorial](https://developer.mastercard.com/merchant-self-services/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/reference-app-tutorial/index.md) to learn how to make calls to the Merchant Self Services 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 Product Integration 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/merchant-self-services/documentation/tutorials-and-guides/reference-app-tutorial/index.md) for step-by-step guidance in testing your API with requests made by the Merchant Self Services API in a sandbox environment.
* Use the [API Reference](https://developer.mastercard.com/merchant-self-services/documentation/api-reference/index.md) information for details about the fields and values relevant to your specific needs.