# Get your access token

To follow this guide, you need a demo account. Make sure it's fully set up according to our instructions on how to [request a demo account](/api/start/demo-account.md).

## Send a request <a href="#request" id="request"></a>

‌To communicate with our API, you'll need to build HTTP requests. You can use the programming language of your choice to achieve this. We provide examples of scripts using [Python](https://www.python.org/)![](/files/i1X0t7ez6Vlx9HiwQQXC), but most of the content you'll work with will be in [JSON](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JSON)![](/files/i1X0t7ez6Vlx9HiwQQXC).‌

## Get your API access token <a href="#get-your-api-key" id="get-your-api-key"></a>

‌To gain access to our API, you will need your **Client ID** and **Client Secret**. Instructions for getting these values can be found in [Use the API](/api/guides/use-the-api.md). You should take special precautions to keep your client secret a secret. In the example below (using our demo environment `https://demo-api.certn.co`), we show you how you can use secrets stored in a `.env` file.

First, make a request to get your access token. This token will be required to make all other API requests. For this step, make a GET request to our `/token/` endpoint. If you're new to HTTP requests, visit [W3Schools](https://www.w3schools.com/tags/ref_httpmethods.asp)![](/files/i1X0t7ez6Vlx9HiwQQXC) for useful guides.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="python" %}

```python
import requests
from dotenv import dotenv_values


# An example of how to manage your Client ID and Client Secret, using a .env file
secrets = dotenv_values(".env")

client_id = secrets["CLIENT_ID"]
client_secret = secrets["CLIENT_SECRET"]

# add the 
headers = {
    "Content-Type": "application/x-www-form-urlencoded"
}
body = {"grant_type": "client_credentials"}

# url to retrieve your access token
url = "https://demo-api.certn.co/token/"

# Send the HTTP request to the API via POST, 
# including your Client ID and Client Secret for authentication
response = requests.post(
    url, 
    headers=headers, 
    auth=(client_id, client_secret), 
    data=body
)

# retrieve the access token
access_token = response.data.get("access_token")
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

With everything set properly and a good internet connection, you should receive a `response.status_code` of `200 OK`. The `response.data` object should look something like:

{% hint style="success" %}
**200 OK**

`{`

&#x20;   `"access_token": "string",`

&#x20;   `"expires_in": 36000,`

&#x20;   `...`

`}`
{% endhint %}

You'll need this access\_token as a bearer token in headers for all requests to our API. Let's see how to use this to [Understand your general resources](/api/start/demo-account/understand-your-general-resources.md).

## Errors

Please see [Get and use an Authorization Token](/api/guides/use-the-api/authorization-header.md) and [Error codes](/api/api-reference/resources/error-codes.md) for more details on types of errors, and how to resolve them.


---

# 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.certn.co/api/start/demo-account/get-your-access-token.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.