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

# Quickstart

> Create your first AI agent in under a minute

## Using the CLI

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install and authenticate">
    ```bash theme={null}
    # Install the CLI
    cd cli && pnpm install && pnpm build
    alias bx="node $(pwd)/dist/index.js"

    # Log in (opens browser)
    bx login
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create an agent">
    ```bash theme={null}
    bx agents create my-agent
    ```

    This provisions a sandboxed VM with Claude Code installed. It takes about 30 seconds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Chat with your agent">
    ```bash theme={null}
    bx agents chat my-agent "Write a Python script that prints hello world"
    ```

    The response streams back in real-time.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Using the API

If you prefer to integrate directly, use the REST API with an API key.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get an API key">
    Create one from the [dashboard](https://boxcrew.ai) under **Settings > API Keys**, or with the CLI:

    ```bash theme={null}
    bx keys create --name "My Key"
    ```

    Save the key — it's only shown once.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create an agent">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X POST https://api.boxcrew.ai/agents \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer bxk_your_key_here" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"name": "my-agent", "runtime": "claude-code"}'
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Chat with your agent">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -N -X POST https://api.boxcrew.ai/agents/my-agent/chat \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer bxk_your_key_here" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{"message": "Write a Python script that prints hello world"}'
    ```

    The response is an SSE stream:

    ```
    data: {"type":"response.output_text.delta","delta":"Hello"}
    data: {"type":"response.output_text.delta","delta":"! Here's"}
    data: {"type":"response.completed"}
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="CLI commands" icon="terminal" href="/cli/commands">
    Full reference for all bx commands.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Complete REST API documentation.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>