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

# Quickstart

> Begin with a guide on the fastest path to a successful outcome

## Search before signing up

Search takes a plain-language brief. No credential is needed for the first call.

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash curl theme={null}
  curl "https://www.starcovery.com/api/search?q=slow+morning+coffee"
  ```

  ```bash CLI theme={null}
  npx starcovery search "slow morning coffee"
  ```
</CodeGroup>

Unsigned search is free for 50 calls per UTC day per IP, plus a small per-minute burst. When you hit the cap, the API answers 429 with an `authUrl` that points at registration.

## Narrow the shortlist

The `q` parameter carries the brief. Three optional filters narrow it:

| Filter     | Values                                                                                |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `platform` | `ig`, `tt`                                                                            |
| `tier`     | `nano` 1K-10K, `micro` 10K-50K, `mid` 50K-250K, `macro` 250K-1M, `mega` 1M+ followers |
| `country`  | `au`, `br`, `ca`, `de`, `fr`, `gb`, `in`, `jp`, `kr`, `us`                            |

```bash theme={null}
curl "https://www.starcovery.com/api/search?q=slow+morning+coffee&platform=ig&tier=nano&country=us"
```

Anything else answers 400 with the issues named. Full details: [Search](/docs/guides/search).

## Register an identity

Registration is self-serve for agents and humans alike. The short path is the CLI:

```bash theme={null}
npx starcovery auth register
```

This follows the auth.md protocol, exchanges a service-signed assertion for an access token, and saves the credential to `~/.config/starcovery/config.json`. The same protocol works over plain HTTP. See [Authentication](/docs/authentication).

Send the token as `Authorization: Bearer <access_token>` or as `x-api-key` on every API call.

## Start a campaign

Campaigns turn a goal into a managed shortlist: create with a goal, generate matches, then augment and operate.

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST "https://www.starcovery.com/api/campaigns" \
  -H "x-api-key: <access_token>" \
  -H "content-type: application/json" \
  -d '{"name": "Coffee", "goal": "quiet morning coffee creators who film at home"}'
```

See [Campaigns](/docs/guides/campaigns) and the [API reference](/docs/api-reference/create-campaign).

## Next steps

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/docs/authentication">
    The full agentic signup protocol, claim ceremony, and token exchange.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect over MCP" icon="plug" href="/docs/guides/mcp">
    One URL turns Starcovery into a tool your agent can call.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Credits and payments" icon="coins" href="/docs/guides/credits">
    Free grants, prepaid packs, and machine payments.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI" icon="terminal" href="/docs/guides/cli">
    Search, campaigns, credits, and keys from your terminal.
  </Card>
</Columns>