# Applying for API Key

1. **Configure SMTP:** Before applying for an API Key, complete the SMTP server setup to ensure the system can correctly send notification emails for the API Key application and approval process. Without this setup, the application may not be processed successfully.
2. **Submit Application:** Select a client and fill in the information to apply for an [API Key](/guide/application-forms/api-key.md).
3. **Approval Process**: Complete the approval workflow in digiRunner to activate the API Key. For detailed steps, refer to [Approval Flow](/guide/application-forms/approval-flow-settings.md) & [Applications](/guide/application-forms/applications.md), or see the full process in this section: [Obtaining API Keys and Calling APIs](/most-common-use-cases/obtaining-api-keys-and-calling-apis.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
For detailed information, refer to the following sections:

* **Application process**: [Obtaining API Keys and Calling APIs](/most-common-use-cases/obtaining-api-keys-and-calling-apis.md) 
* **Feature details**: [API Key](/guide/application-forms/api-key.md)
  {% endhint %}

Example:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/Utt7jnwalLuL8ZLEPkiy" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Field Description:

<table><thead><tr><th width="155">Parameter</th><th width="87">Type</th><th width="135">Requirement</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>API Key Name</td><td>String</td><td>Required</td><td>API Key name</td></tr><tr><td>Effective Date</td><td>Date</td><td>Required</td><td>The start date from which the API Key can be used to call APIs.</td></tr><tr><td>Expiry Date</td><td>Date</td><td>Required</td><td>The last date until which the API Key can be used to call APIs.</td></tr><tr><td>Use Quota (-1 = unlimited)</td><td>String</td><td>Required</td><td>The maximum number of API calls allowed. If the value is -1, there is no usage limit.</td></tr><tr><td>Description</td><td>String</td><td>Required</td><td>The purpose or usage description of the API Key.</td></tr><tr><td>Select API</td><td>String</td><td>Required</td><td>Check the APIs to be associated with this API Key.</td></tr></tbody></table>


---

# 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.tpi.dev/api-integration-guide/using-api-key-for-authentication-and-authorization/applying-for-api-key.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.