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

# Quickstart

> Retrieve a paper, check its citation tally, and run your first authenticated search.

Start with two public endpoints, then use an API key for Search. You can complete the first two steps without an account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Retrieve a paper">
    Look up publication metadata by DOI. Papers endpoints are public, so this request doesn't need an API key.

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl 'https://api.scite.ai/papers/10.1038/nature12373'
    ```

    The response includes the title, abstract, authors, journal, publication year, retraction status, and related identifiers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check its citation tally">
    Tallies endpoints are also public:

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl 'https://api.scite.ai/tallies/10.1038/nature12373'
    ```

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "doi": "10.1038/nature12373",
      "total": 42,
      "supporting": 30,
      "contradicting": 2,
      "mentioning": 10,
      "unclassified": 0,
      "citingPublications": 38
    }
    ```

    `total` counts citation statements. `citingPublications` counts distinct papers, so the values can differ. See [Citations & Tallies](/concepts/citation-model).

    <Note>
      Tally values change as Scite indexes new citation statements. Treat the numbers above as an example response shape.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run an authenticated search">
    **Need an API key?** On Pro, create one in the [API Console](https://scite.ai/users/me/api). Creating a key doesn't grant every optional scope; see [Authentication](/authentication) for feature access. For higher limits or managed credentials, [contact sales](https://scite.ai/contact).

    `term` supports `AND`, `OR`, `NOT`, and quoted phrases.

    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -G 'https://api.scite.ai/api_partner/search' \
      -H 'Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_KEY>' \
      --data-urlencode 'term="machine learning" AND healthcare' \
      --data-urlencode 'limit=5' \
      --data-urlencode 'sort=date' \
      --data-urlencode 'sort_order=desc'
    ```

    The response includes a total `count` and a `hits` array. Each hit carries DOI, title, authors, journal, abstract, and citation tally where available. The [Search guide](/guides/search) covers the 25+ filters.

    <Note>
      Pro keys support Search for evaluation. Commercial or research use requires a separate license agreement. See the [Search guide](/guides/search#access-and-licensing).
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Go further">
    * Install Scite in ChatGPT or Claude, or connect another MCP client: [Scite MCP](/mcp/overview)
    * Full paper metadata for any DOI: [Papers & Authors](/guides/papers-and-authors)
    * Tallies for up to 500 DOIs at once: [Smart Citations](/guides/smart-citations)
    * Screen a manuscript's reference list: [Reference Check](/guides/reference-check)
  </Step>
</Steps>