---
description: "Make your first Verda Inference call: enable a model in the Console, save your API key, and send a chat completion with cURL, Python or Node."
revision_date: 04.11.2026
---

# Quickstart

You need a Verda account with a project balance of at least $1. The minimum top-up is $20. See [Topping up in the console](https://docs.verda.com/welcome-to-verda/pricing-and-billing/#topping-up-in-the-console).

## 1. Enable a model

1. In the [Console](https://console.verda.com/), open **Inference > Models**.
2. Find the model you want and click **Enable**.

The **Quick start** window opens with a new API key for your project. Copy the key now: it's shown only once.

If you close the window before copying it, open the model's page and click **Create API key**, or create one on the **Credentials** page. See [Inference API Keys](https://docs.verda.com/welcome-to-verda/api-credentials/#inference-api-keys).

## 2. Set your environment

Save your base URL and key as environment variables, for example in a `.env` file:

```bash
# Base endpoint and key (used by the curl and SDK snippets on this page)
VERDA_INFERENCE_BASE_URL=https://inference.verda.com
VERDA_INFERENCE_API_KEY=<your key>

# Picked up automatically by OpenAI SDKs
OPENAI_BASE_URL=https://inference.verda.com/v1
OPENAI_API_KEY=${VERDA_INFERENCE_API_KEY}

# If you set the OPENAI_* variables above, the SDKs pick them up automatically
# and you can drop the explicit base_url/api_key arguments from the code below.
```

## 3. Make your first call

The examples call [Kimi K3.1 Pro](https://docs.verda.com/inference/models/kimi-k3-1-pro/). Kimi reasons before it answers, at `max` effort by default, so `max_tokens` leaves room for reasoning and the answer. For a faster, lower-cost answer, add `"reasoning_effort": "low"`. See [Reasoning](https://docs.verda.com/inference/openai-compatibility/#reasoning). To call another model, change `model` to its [model ID](https://docs.verda.com/inference/models/#model-ids).

=== "cURL"

    ```bash
    curl -X POST "https://inference.verda.com/v1/chat/completions" \
      -H "Authorization: Bearer <your key>" \
      -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
      -d '{
        "model": "kimi-k3-1-pro",
        "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "What is the best viewpoint in Helsinki?"}],
        "max_tokens": 8192
      }'
    ```

=== "OpenAI Python"

    Install the SDK with `pip install openai`, then run:

    ```python
    import os

    from openai import OpenAI

    client = OpenAI(
        base_url=f"{os.environ['VERDA_INFERENCE_BASE_URL']}/v1",
        api_key=os.environ["VERDA_INFERENCE_API_KEY"],
    )

    resp = client.chat.completions.create(
        model="kimi-k3-1-pro",
        messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "What is the best viewpoint in Helsinki?"}],
        max_tokens=8192,
    )
    print(resp.choices[0].message.content or resp.choices[0].message.reasoning_content)
    print(resp.usage)
    ```

=== "OpenAI Node"

    Install the SDK with `npm install openai`, then run:

    ```javascript
    import OpenAI from "openai";

    const baseUrl = process.env.VERDA_INFERENCE_BASE_URL;
    const apiKey = process.env.VERDA_INFERENCE_API_KEY;

    const client = new OpenAI({
      baseURL: `${baseUrl}/v1`,
      apiKey,
    });

    const resp = await client.chat.completions.create({
      model: "kimi-k3-1-pro",
      messages: [{ role: "user", content: "What is the best viewpoint in Helsinki?" }],
      max_tokens: 8192,
    });

    console.log(resp.choices[0].message.content);
    console.log(resp.usage);
    ```

The response includes `usage`, with the input and output tokens you're billed for. Reasoning counts as output tokens.

## 4. Check your usage

Open **Inference > Usage** in the Console. It shows the tokens in, cached tokens and tokens out for each model and day (in UTC), from both the API and the Console. Click **Download** to export them as CSV.

## Try a model in the Playground

Each model's page has a **Playground** tab where you can chat with the model in your browser. The Playground uses an API key of your project, and its usage is billed like any other request. It takes text only: to send images, use the API.

## Next steps

- [Models](https://docs.verda.com/inference/models/): what each model supports, and how to enable models with the API
- [OpenAI compatibility](https://docs.verda.com/inference/openai-compatibility/): streaming, reasoning output and errors
- [Coding agents](https://docs.verda.com/inference/coding-agents/): use Verda models in OpenCode and Pi Coder
- [Rate limits](https://docs.verda.com/inference/rate-limits/): what to do when you reach a limit