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

# Authentication

To authenticate with the Bigdata.com API, you need to use an API key.

You can create and manage your API Keys in the [Developer Platform > API Keys](https://platform.bigdata.com/api-keys)

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/ravenpackinternational/f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl/images/authentication/api_key_settings.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl&q=85&s=cf16d5701fa628a8ec548137caa2fa18" alt="Developer Platform > API Keys" data-og-width="1536" width="1536" data-og-height="689" height="689" data-path="images/authentication/api_key_settings.png" data-optimize="true" data-opv="3" srcset="https://mintcdn.com/ravenpackinternational/f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl/images/authentication/api_key_settings.png?w=280&fit=max&auto=format&n=f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl&q=85&s=8cc7a63e03af48aaa3cb5d1f4d697128 280w, https://mintcdn.com/ravenpackinternational/f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl/images/authentication/api_key_settings.png?w=560&fit=max&auto=format&n=f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl&q=85&s=1c74493718b528caf178749e536dc404 560w, https://mintcdn.com/ravenpackinternational/f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl/images/authentication/api_key_settings.png?w=840&fit=max&auto=format&n=f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl&q=85&s=53a485901a8d4ea94b9d1c689d9255c4 840w, https://mintcdn.com/ravenpackinternational/f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl/images/authentication/api_key_settings.png?w=1100&fit=max&auto=format&n=f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl&q=85&s=62c0768c1fbdcf18d17f9331b381ad4c 1100w, https://mintcdn.com/ravenpackinternational/f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl/images/authentication/api_key_settings.png?w=1650&fit=max&auto=format&n=f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl&q=85&s=ef7be32d0790f9e1a1a9b2f03a8fe709 1650w, https://mintcdn.com/ravenpackinternational/f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl/images/authentication/api_key_settings.png?w=2500&fit=max&auto=format&n=f62VnqoeoLD7OgQl&q=85&s=1311b4ec9fe05b5d341614768ceed10f 2500w" />

The API key must be included in all API requests to the server in a `x-api-key` header.

Here is an example of how you can make an authenticated request using `curl`:

```bash theme={null}
curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.bigdata.com/v1/search \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --header 'X-API-KEY: <api-key>' \
  --data '{
  "query": {
    "text": "Microsoft earnings call highlights"
  }
}'
```

<Tip>We recommend using environment variables to specify your API Key.</Tip>

<Columns cols={1}>
  <Card title="Knowledge Graph API Playground" icon="circle-nodes" href="/api-reference/companies/find-by-details" horizontal>
    Search for entities using Bigdata's knowledge graph tools.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Search Service API Playground" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/api-reference/search/search-documents" horizontal>
    Easily find the most relevant information from trusted sources and your own data. Use it to power agents that give accurate, real-time answers.
  </Card>
</Columns>

<Columns cols={1}>
  <Card title="Research Agent API Playground" icon="robot" href="/api-reference/research-agent/research-agent" horizontal>
    Get faster insights and smarter decisions using our advanced AI capabilities and real-time data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Workflows API Playground" icon="diagram-project" href="/api-reference/workflows/execute-workflow" horizontal>
    Build reproducible, templated research workflows for automated analysis.
  </Card>
</Columns>

<Columns cols={1}>
  <Card title="Structured Data API Playground" icon="table" href="/api-reference/market-data/daily-prices" horizontal>
    Access comprehensive financial data including corporate events, intraday prices, analyst ratings, estimates, and earnings surprises.
  </Card>
</Columns>

# Bigdata Developer Platform

We recommend using the [Developer Platform](https://platform.bigdata.com) to test your queries and understand how our APIs work.

Also, use it to manage your API keys and monitor your API consumption and costs.

<Card title="🚀 Bigdata Developer Platform" href="https://platform.bigdata.com">
  **Your companion for day-to-day Bigdata API development**

  The Developer Platform is your central hub for managing, testing, and optimizing your Bigdata API integrations. Get instant business value with interactive playgrounds that make it incredibly easy to understand how our APIs work and discover their full potential.

  **Key Features:**

  * **🎮 Advanced Playgrounds**: Interactive environments with visual input/output to experiment with queries and see results instantly
  * **🔑 API Management**: Centralized control of your API keys and access credentials
  * **📊 Usage & Spending Tracking**: Monitor your API consumption and costs in real-time
  * **📱 Demo Apps Library**: Explore pre-built applications showcasing what's possible with Bigdata APIs
</Card>