# Access the API

To unlock the full power of **WebScrapingAPI**, you have to [**register**](https://app.webscrapingapi.com/register) for a new account. Once you confirm your account, you will be able generate an API key, required to authenticate your requests. 

### The API key

The API key for WebScrapingAPI is available after registration, inside the Dashboard, by navigating to the WebScrapingAPI tab in the left panel. 

In our documentation, we will refer to the API key by using the following syntax:**`<YOUR_API_KEY>`**

Passing the API key as a parameter is  <mark style="color:yellow;">**required**</mark>  in order to authorise your requests. Failing to pass an API key or passing an invalid API key will result in an error.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Attention required!** Please note that your API key will directly impact the usage on your subscription plan.&#x20;

In order to prevent unauthorized access to your WebscrapingAPI account, make sure you **store your API key in a secure location** and never include it in any public scripts or files.
{% endhint %}


---

# 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.webscrapingapi.com/webscrapingapi/getting-started/access-the-api.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.