> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sync2books.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Get an API key, connect an accounting system, and sync your first expense in about five minutes.

This quickstart takes you from zero to a synced expense. Building Kenyan tax
compliance instead? Jump to the [eTIMS quickstart](/etims-getting-started).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get your API key">
    Sign in to the [Sync2Books Dashboard](https://sync2books.com/dashboard), open your
    application, and copy the **Development** API key from **API Keys**.

    ```text theme={null}
    sk_development_x9y8z7...
    ```

    Full details — including the optional request signature — are in
    [Authentication](/concepts/authentication).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a company">
    A company represents your SMB customer.

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X POST "https://api.sync2books.com/companies" \
      -H "X-API-Key: sk_development_your_api_key" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{ "name": "Acme Corporation" }'
    ```

    The response includes the company `id` and an `authUrl` to connect an
    accounting system. See [Companies & connections](/concepts/companies-and-connections).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect an accounting system">
    Use the [Link component](/link-integration) (recommended) or open the `authUrl`
    in a browser and complete the OAuth flow. Then list the company's connections to
    get the `connectionId`:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X GET "https://api.sync2books.com/connections/company/{companyId}" \
      -H "X-API-Key: sk_development_your_api_key"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sync your first expense">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X POST "https://api.sync2books.com/expenses/{connectionId}" \
      -H "X-API-Key: sk_development_your_api_key" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{
        "id": "exp-001",
        "type": "Payment",
        "issueDate": "2024-01-15T00:00:00Z",
        "currency": "USD",
        "currencyRate": 1,
        "merchantName": "Amazon",
        "lines": [
          {
            "netAmount": 100.00,
            "taxAmount": 10.00,
            "taxRateRef": { "id": "tax-rate-id" },
            "accountRef": { "id": "account-id" }
          }
        ]
      }'
    ```

    ```json theme={null}
    { "syncBatchId": "550e8400-e29b-41d4-a716-446655440000", "totalExpenses": 1 }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the sync">
    Writes are asynchronous — check the batch to see the result:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X GET "https://api.sync2books.com/sync/batches/{syncBatchId}" \
      -H "X-API-Key: sk_development_your_api_key"
    ```

    See [The sync model](/concepts/sync-model) for statuses and error handling.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Expenses guide" icon="receipt" href="/expenses-getting-started">
    Map transactions, configure customers, and upload receipts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="eTIMS quickstart" icon="file-invoice" href="/etims-getting-started">
    From sign-up to your first KRA-signed receipt.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>