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

# Quick Start

> Create your first form in 5 minutes

# Quick Start Guide

This guide will help you create your first form using the GeniusForms API.

## Prerequisites

* A GeniusForms account ([Sign up free](https://geniusforms.ai/signup))
* An API key from your [dashboard](https://geniusforms.ai/dashboard)

## Step 1: Get Your API Key

1. Log in to your [GeniusForms dashboard](https://geniusforms.ai/dashboard)
2. Navigate to **Settings → API Keys**
3. Click **Create API Key**
4. Copy and store your key securely (it's only shown once!)

<Warning>
  Never expose your API key in client-side code. Keep it on your server.
</Warning>

## Step 2: Create a Form

You have two options: generate with AI or create manually.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="AI Generation">
    Let AI create your form from a description:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X POST https://geniusforms.ai/api/v1/forms/generate \
      -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{
        "prompt": "Create a contact form with name, email, and message questions"
      }'
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Manual Creation">
    Create a form with specific questions:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -X POST https://geniusforms.ai/api/v1/forms \
      -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{
        "title": "Contact Form",
        "description": "Get in touch with us",
        "questions": [
          {"type": "text", "question": "Your name", "required": true},
          {"type": "email", "question": "Your email", "required": true},
          {"type": "textarea", "question": "Your message", "required": true}
        ]
      }'
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Step 3: Publish Your Form

Forms are unpublished by default. Publish to make it accessible:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://geniusforms.ai/api/v1/forms/YOUR_FORM_ID/publish \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"
```

The response includes your public form URL:

```json theme={null}
{
  "id": 208,
  "isPublished": true,
  "url": "https://geniusforms.ai/f/abc123xyz"
}
```

## Step 4: Collect Responses

After users submit your form, retrieve responses:

```bash theme={null}
curl https://geniusforms.ai/api/v1/forms/YOUR_FORM_ID/responses \
  -H "X-API-Key: YOUR_API_KEY"
```

Response:

```json theme={null}
{
  "responses": [
    {
      "id": "session_abc123",
      "submittedAt": "2026-02-06T10:30:00Z",
      "data": {
        "Your name": "John Doe",
        "Your email": "john@example.com",
        "Your message": "Hello, I'd like to learn more about your services."
      }
    }
  ],
  "total": 1
}
```

<Note>
  AI form generation costs **5 credits** per call. Free accounts get 50 credits/month. Check your balance anytime with the `X-Credits-Remaining` response header or the `GET /usage` endpoint. See [Pricing & Credits](/pricing) for details.
</Note>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Pricing & Credits" icon="coins" href="/pricing">
    Understand the credit system and plans
  </Card>

  <Card title="Question Types" icon="list-check" href="/api-reference/introduction#question-types">
    Explore all 15+ supported question types
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="book" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Full API documentation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>