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

# Inference Quickstart

> Get started with the Lilac inference API in under five minutes. Create an account, add credits, generate an API key, and send your first request.

Get up and running with Lilac's inference API in four steps.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create an account">
    Sign up at [console.getlilac.com](https://console.getlilac.com) with your email or Google account. Create an organization to manage your team's API keys and billing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add credits">
    Lilac uses prepaid credits. Navigate to **Billing** in the dashboard, click **Add Credits**, and complete the Stripe checkout to load your account. You need a positive credit balance before you can make API requests.

    <Tip>
      You can add as little as \$5.00. See [Pricing](/inference/pricing) for per-token rates.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Generate an API key">
    Go to **API Keys** in the dashboard and create a new key. Copy it — you won't be able to see it again.

    <Warning>
      Keep your API key secret. Do not commit it to version control or share it publicly.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make your first request">
    Point any OpenAI-compatible SDK at `api.getlilac.com` and use your Lilac API key:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Python">
        ```python theme={null}
        from openai import OpenAI

        client = OpenAI(
            base_url="https://api.getlilac.com/v1",
            api_key="your-lilac-api-key",
        )

        response = client.chat.completions.create(
            model="moonshotai/kimi-k2.6",
            messages=[
                {"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}
            ],
        )

        print(response.choices[0].message.content)
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="JavaScript">
        ```javascript theme={null}
        import OpenAI from "openai";

        const client = new OpenAI({
          baseURL: "https://api.getlilac.com/v1",
          apiKey: "your-lilac-api-key",
        });

        const response = await client.chat.completions.create({
          model: "moonshotai/kimi-k2.6",
          messages: [
            { role: "user", content: "Hello!" }
          ],
        });

        console.log(response.choices[0].message.content);
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="cURL">
        ```bash theme={null}
        curl https://api.getlilac.com/v1/chat/completions \
          -H "Authorization: Bearer your-lilac-api-key" \
          -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
          -d '{
            "model": "moonshotai/kimi-k2.6",
            "messages": [
              {"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}
            ]
          }'
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>
</Steps>

That's it. Your requests are now routing to idle enterprise GPUs at a fraction of the cost of dedicated providers.

## Next steps

<Columns>
  <Card title="Supported Models" icon="cube" href="/inference/models">
    See available models and their pricing.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Pricing & Credits" icon="credit-card" href="/inference/pricing">
    Understand per-token pricing and manage your credits.
  </Card>

  <Card title="OpenAI Compatibility" icon="arrow-right-arrow-left" href="/inference/openai-compatibility">
    Learn what's supported from the OpenAI API spec.
  </Card>
</Columns>