# Getting Started

LocalRamp authenticates your API requests using your account’s API *secret key* and *public key*

Your **Secret Key** should be kept **confidential** and only stored on your own servers. Your account’s secret API key performs sensitive API requests and as such should NEVER be exposed.

Your **Public Key** on the other hand can be published. This key can be used for collections (Pay-ins) and other misc API calls. This key **cannot** be used for payouts and swaps.

## Obtaining your API keys

To get your API keys, go to the [API settings](https://merchant.localramp.co/dashboard/settings/api) section of your dashboard and copy the keys.

## Authentication

Authenticate your API calls by adding a `x-auth-token` header with your secret key or public key for every request you make.

```
x-auth-token: <SECRET_KEY|PUBLIC_KEY>
```


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.localramp.co/getting-started.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.