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

# Quickstart

> Create a Node API endpoint and send your first request in a few minutes.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create an account">
    Sign up at [app.validationcloud.io](https://app.validationcloud.io). The Free plan includes 50 million compute units (CU) per month, and no credit card is required. See [Plans and billing](/nodeapi/about/billing) for what happens after that.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create an endpoint">
    In the [Node API dashboard](https://app.validationcloud.io/node), create a new endpoint:

    1. Select a blockchain.
    2. Select a network.
    3. Optionally, name your endpoint.

    Your endpoint gets an HTTPS URL and a WSS URL. Both contain your API key, so treat them as secrets.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send your first request">
    Replace `<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE>` with your API key and run this request against Ethereum Mainnet:

    ```bash theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark-default"}}
    curl https://mainnet.ethereum.validationcloud.io/v1/<YOUR_API_KEY_HERE> \
        -X POST \
        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
        -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"eth_blockNumber","params":[],"id":1}'
    ```

    The response contains the latest block number in hexadecimal:

    ```json theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark-default"}}
    {"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"result":"0x16b5a3e"}
    ```

    For other chains, use the URL from your endpoint and the methods listed in that chain's section.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Supported chains and networks" icon="network-wired" href="/nodeapi/about/supported-chains">
    Every chain and network, with archive and history coverage.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Compute units" icon="gauge" href="/nodeapi/about/billing">
    How usage is billed. Each chain's overview lists the CU cost of every method.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Allow lists" icon="shield-halved" href="/nodeapi/about/security/allow-lists-for-node-api-endpoints">
    Restrict an endpoint to specific IP addresses or web origins.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Admin API" icon="code" href="/nodeapi/about/admin-api-keys">
    Create endpoints and read usage from your own code.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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