> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.budecosystem.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Quick Start
> Create your first provider credential and project API key
This guide walks you through the fastest path to set up access: create a provider credential, then create a project key.
```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
A[Open API Keys] --> B[Create Provider Credential]
B --> C[Verify Credential Drawer]
C --> D[Create Project Key]
D --> E[Validate Expiry + Budget]
```
## Step 1: Open API Keys
1. Sign in to Bud AI Foundry.
2. Open **API Keys** from the left navigation.
3. Confirm you can see **Provider**, **Projects and Cloud Providers** tabs.
## Step 2: Create a Provider Credential
1. In **Provider**, click **Add Credentials**.
2. Choose a provider from the provider list.
3. Click **Next**.
4. Enter:
* **API key name**
* Provider-required fields (for example API key, base URL, org/project fields if required)
5. Click **Create**.
Provider form fields are dynamic and come from the selected provider schema, so fields can differ by provider.
## Step 3: Validate Credential Details
1. Open the created row in **Credential List**.
2. In the drawer, verify secret fields are masked by default.
3. Use the eye icon to reveal values only when necessary.
4. Use copy action to copy individual credential values.
## Step 4: Create a Project API Key
1. Switch to the **Projects** tab.
2. Click **Create New Key**.
3. Set:
* **Credential Name**
* **Project**
* **Set Expiry** (`30 days` or `60 days`)
* **Set Max Budget**
4. Click **Create**.
## Step 5: Confirm Governance Fields
Open the new project key row and verify:
* Key is masked by default
* **Project name** is correct
* **Date of Expiry** is correct
* **Max Budget** is applied
* **Last Used** updates once the key is consumed
## Step 6: Connect a Cloud Provider Credential
1. In Cloud **Providers**, click **Connect To Cloud**.
2. Choose a provider from the provider list.
3. Click **Next**.
4. Enter Provider credentials.
5. Click **Create**.
## Step 7: Validate Credential Details
1. Open the created row in **Credential List**.
2. In the drawer, verify secret fields are masked by default.
## Next Steps
Learn key types and governance design.
Follow a full production-ready workflow.
Apply secure handling and rotation controls.