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

# Quickstart

> Make your first WasteCheck API call in 5 minutes

# Quickstart

Follow these steps to make your first WasteCheck API call.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign up for a developer account">
    Create a free account at [portal.wastecheck.co.uk/signup](https://portal.wastecheck.co.uk/signup). You will receive a confirmation email to verify your address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a test API key">
    Once logged in, go to **API Keys** and click **Create New Key**. Select **Test** mode for development. Copy the key -- it starts with `wc_test_` and is only shown once.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make your first API call">
    Verify a waste carrier against the Environment Agency register:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash curl theme={null}
      curl -X POST https://api.wastecheck.co.uk/v1/verify-carrier \
        -H "Authorization: Bearer wc_test_your_api_key_here" \
        -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
        -d '{"registration_number": "CBDU217016"}'
      ```

      ```javascript Node.js theme={null}
      const response = await fetch(
        "https://api.wastecheck.co.uk/v1/verify-carrier",
        {
          method: "POST",
          headers: {
            "Authorization": "Bearer wc_test_your_api_key_here",
            "Content-Type": "application/json",
          },
          body: JSON.stringify({
            registration_number: "CBDU217016",
          }),
        }
      );
      const data = await response.json();
      console.log(data.status); // "valid"
      ```

      ```python Python theme={null}
      import requests

      response = requests.post(
          "https://api.wastecheck.co.uk/v1/verify-carrier",
          headers={
              "Authorization": "Bearer wc_test_your_api_key_here",
          },
          json={
              "registration_number": "CBDU217016",
          },
      )
      data = response.json()
      print(data["status"])  # "valid"
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the response">
    A successful verification returns:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "status": "valid",
      "verification": {
        "checked_at": "2026-03-25T14:30:00Z",
        "source": "environment_agency",
        "cached": false
      },
      "registrations": [{
        "registration_number": "CBDU217016",
        "business_name": "ACME WASTE SERVICES LTD",
        "company_number": "12345678",
        "tier": "upper",
        "status": "valid",
        "expiry_date": "2027-01-15",
        "days_until_expiry": 298,
        "expiry_warning": false
      }],
      "compliance": {
        "is_compliant": true,
        "flags": [],
        "recommendation": "Registration is valid and current."
      }
    }
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

Now that you have made your first API call:

* Read the [Authentication](/authentication) guide for details on live vs test keys and rate limits
* Explore the [API Reference](/api-reference/verify-carrier) for all available endpoints
* Try [classifying waste](/api-reference/classify-waste) with AI or [generating a WTN](/api-reference/generate-wtn)
* Check your usage in the [Developer Portal](https://portal.wastecheck.co.uk)