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

# Step 1: Create an API key for use with React Native

Before your application can communicate with the API you will need to
create a new API key. The API handles authentication using a signed **JSON
Web Token** (JWT) which is passed in an HTTP header.

```bash theme={"dark"}
curl -X GET https://api.mattildapayments.com/transactions \
  -H "authorization: bearer eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJzdWIi..."
```

<Tip>
  We recommend you use an SDK. Our SDKs make the process of generating a token a lot easier and
  is available in many popular programming languages. We will get to this in the
  next step.
</Tip>

## Create a new API key

To use the API you will need to generate a new **API key**. Head over to
your dashboard and visit the **Integrations** page.

<img src="https://mintlify.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/mattilda/assets/images/api-keys/add-key.png" alt="API key dashboard" />

On this page, click the **Add API key** button and select a name for your key. The name is purely for you to track what key is for what integration.
You will need to store the downloaded key securely as we will not store this key for you.

<Info>
  Learn more about API keys and JWTs in our
  [in-depth guide on authentication](/guides/api/authentication).
</Info>

## Summary

In this step you:

* Learned about API authentication.
* Created a new API key for use with the API.
* Stored this API key in a secure place where your application can access it.