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

# Register an account

> Create a ByteSpike account in ~30 seconds. Email + password, or Google sign-in. Trial credits arrive on signup — no card required.

The fastest path to a working key. Open
[console.bytespike.ai](https://console.bytespike.ai), pick a sign-up
method, top up a few dollars, create a key. About 2 minutes total.

## 1. Open the sign-up page

Go to [console.bytespike.ai/sign-up](https://console.bytespike.ai/sign-up).

You can sign up two ways:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Email + password">
    Fill in:

    * **Email** — receives the verification code and notifications
    * **Password** — at least 12 characters, including a number + symbol
    * **Invite code** — ByteSpike is invite-only during the current phase. Ask an existing user for a code (format: `BS-XXXX-XXXX`).
    * **Verification code** — sent to your email after you click *Send code*
    * **Captcha** — Turnstile widget; just check the box

    Submit. You're signed in and dropped onto the dashboard.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Continue with Google">
    Click **Continue with Google** on the sign-up page. Pick the
    Google account you want to associate, accept the OAuth scopes
    (read-only — ByteSpike sees your email + name only), and you're
    in.

    Google sign-up still consumes an invite code — the form prompts
    for one after the OAuth round-trip if your account doesn't
    already have one attached.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Warning>
  The email address you sign up with is **permanent** — it's what your
  invoices, billing alerts, and password-reset links go to. Pick a real
  inbox you check, not a noreply / shared alias.
</Warning>

## 2. Verify your email (if you used email + password)

If you went the email route, you'll see a `verifying email…` banner
the first time you land on the dashboard. Email verification is
required before you can create API keys; if it doesn't auto-complete,
hit *Resend* on the banner.

## 3. Top up trial credits

New accounts get a small trial allowance. To do real work you need
to top up the org wallet:

1. Sidebar → **Billing**
2. Pick a top-up amount ($5 minimum, $1,250 max per transaction)
3. Pay via Stripe (cards / Apple Pay / Google Pay)

Larger top-ups carry a bonus (up to +11.2% at the top tier). See
[bytespike.ai/pricing](https://bytespike.ai/pricing#top-up) for the
live bonus ladder.

→ Walkthrough: [Top up credits](/top-up)

## 4. Create your first API key

Sidebar → **API keys** → **Create key**.

You'll be asked for:

* **Name** — anything memorable, e.g. `dev-laptop`
* **Routing group** — pick one. `claude-default` for Claude models,
  `gemini-default` for Gemini, or `default` to route everything.
  Each key reaches **one** group; create separate keys for other
  groups. See [Models](/models).

The plaintext secret (`sk-byts-…`) shows up **once** after submit. Copy
it — store it in your password manager or secrets store. If you lose
it, you can either reveal again from the same page or rotate the key
to get a fresh secret.

→ Walkthrough: [Configure your client](/configure-client)

## 5. Verify

```bash theme={null}
export BYTESPIKE_API_KEY=sk-byts-...

curl https://llm.bytespike.ai/v1/messages \
  -H "x-api-key: $BYTESPIKE_API_KEY" \
  -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
  -H "content-type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "claude-haiku-4-5",
    "max_tokens": 64,
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "ping"}]
  }'
```

Expect a 200 with a JSON body, plus an `X-Quota-Remaining-Credits`
header showing your wallet minus a few credits. If you get
`401 invalid x-api-key`, double-check the key value. If you get
`402 insufficient_balance`, top up some credits.

## Common questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I don't have an invite code">
    ByteSpike is currently invite-gated. Ask an existing user for
    one (each account can mint a small number from
    [console.bytespike.ai/affiliate](https://console.bytespike.ai/affiliate)),
    or email [support@bytespike.ai](mailto:support@bytespike.ai)
    explaining your use case.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I sign up multiple accounts on one email?">
    No — emails are unique. If you want separate billing for
    different projects, the right shape is one account with multiple
    keys (one per project / environment), each with its own quota +
    rate-limit caps.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need a credit card to sign up?">
    No — trial credits are issued automatically. A card (via Stripe)
    is only needed once you want to top up beyond the trial.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I delete my account later?">
    Yes. **Account → Settings → Delete account** does an immediate
    soft-delete; the data is purged after a 30-day grace period.
    Outstanding balance is non-refundable but can be transferred to
    another ByteSpike account on request via support.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Top up credits" icon="coins" href="/top-up">
    The \$5+ flow + bonus ladder.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Configure your client" icon="terminal" href="/configure-client">
    Point Claude Code / Codex / Cursor / SDKs at ByteSpike.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Your first curl, three protocols side-by-side.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/authentication">
    Per-key controls, IP allowlist, rate limits.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>