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

# Quickstart

> Get up and running with Consus Gateway in under 5 minutes.

Defense contractors shouldn't need months of cloud integration and compliance paperwork to use AI. Consus Gateway routes your requests through FedRAMP High and DoD IL5 authorized environments using the OpenAI SDK you already know. Change two lines and start building.

## Prerequisites

* An API key ([request access](/pricing#request-access) to get set up)
* The OpenAI SDK for your language, **or** any HTTP client

## 1. Install the OpenAI SDK

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash Python theme={null}
  pip install openai
  ```

  ```bash TypeScript/Node theme={null}
  npm install openai
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## 2. Configure the Client

Point the OpenAI SDK at Consus Gateway and pass your API key via the `x-api-key` header.

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  from openai import OpenAI

  client = OpenAI(
      base_url="https://api.consus.io/v1",
      api_key="dummy",  # Required by SDK but not used for auth
      default_headers={"x-api-key": "CONSUS_API_KEY"},
  )
  ```

  ```typescript TypeScript theme={null}
  import OpenAI from 'openai';

  const client = new OpenAI({
    baseURL: 'https://api.consus.io/v1',
    apiKey: 'dummy',
    defaultHeaders: { 'x-api-key': 'CONSUS_API_KEY' },
  });
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## 3. Make a Request

Swap the `model` parameter to use any available model. All requests stay within government-authorized cloud environments.

<CodeGroup>
  ```python Python theme={null}
  completion = client.chat.completions.create(
      model="claude-sonnet-4-5:itar",
      messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}],
  )
  print(completion.choices[0].message.content)
  ```

  ```typescript TypeScript theme={null}
  const completion = await client.chat.completions.create({
    model: 'claude-sonnet-4-5:itar',
    messages: [{ role: 'user', content: 'Hello!' }],
  });
  console.log(completion.choices[0].message.content);
  ```

  ```bash curl theme={null}
  curl -X POST https://api.consus.io/v1/chat/completions \
    -H "x-api-key: $CONSUS_API_KEY" \
    -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
    -d '{
      "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5:itar",
      "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Hello!"}]
    }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## What's Next

* [Authentication](/authentication): API keys and key management
* [Models](/models): Available models and compliance levels
* [Chat Completions](/endpoints/chat-completions): Full request/response reference
* [Security](/security): Data privacy and compliance