# Your account

This is where GitHub sign-in and Stripe checkout return you. Your session lives in a
secure cookie on `apievangelist.com`; your personal API key is minted the first time you
sign in.

## Get your key

1. **[Sign in with GitHub →](https://api.apievangelist.com/v1/auth/login)** — this creates
   your account and a free-tier API key.
2. Fetch your account to see the key:

   ```bash
   curl -s https://api.apievangelist.com/v1/auth/me --cookie "ae_session=…" | jq
   ```

   ```json
   {
     "login": "your-handle",
     "tier": "free",
     "apiKey": "ae_live_…",
     "baseUrl": "https://api.apievangelist.com/v1",
     "mcp": "https://mcp.apievangelist.com"
   }
   ```

   In the browser, `https://api.apievangelist.com/v1/auth/me` returns the same JSON while
   your session cookie is set.

3. Send the key as `x-api-key` on any Pro endpoint:

   ```bash
   curl -X POST https://api.apievangelist.com/v1/governance/toolsmith \
     -H "x-api-key: ae_live_…" -H "content-type: application/json" \
     -d '{"document":"openapi: 3.0.0\n..."}'
   ```

## Upgrade to Pro

Start a subscription — your existing key is moved onto the Pro (or Team) usage plan
automatically when checkout completes:

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.apievangelist.com/v1/billing/checkout \
  --cookie "ae_session=…" -H "content-type: application/json" \
  -d '{"tier":"pro","cycle":"monthly"}'
# → { "url": "https://checkout.stripe.com/..." }
```

Manage or cancel any time via the billing portal:

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.apievangelist.com/v1/billing/portal --cookie "ae_session=…"
```

See [the plans](/plans) for what Pro unlocks.