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

> ## Agent Instructions
> ## Agent quick links and documentation index
> Fetch key links about the MCP server, SDK, and API at: https://docs.unstructured.io/agent-guide.md
> Then fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unstructured.io/llms.txt
> Use these two files to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Unstructured REST API

> The Unstructured REST API enables you to call the Unstructured API with a REST client to partition, enrich, chunk, and embed your files.

To use the REST API to call the [Unstructured API](/api-reference/api), you need an Unstructured API URL and API key. To get them:

<Steps>
  <Step>Sign in at [https://transform.unstructured.io](https://transform.unstructured.io). To sign up, click **Register**.</Step>

  <Step>
    Click **API Keys**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Copy the **API URL** and **API Key** values. Paste them into some secure location of yours.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Accordion title="What if I use Unstructured Pipelines?">
  <Warning>The API URL and API key that you just got will not work with Unstructured Pipelines.</Warning>

  [Unstructured Pipelines](/pipelines/overview) is sold separately. If you use it, do the following instead. If you are not sure if you have it,
  check with your Unstructured account administrator or your Unstructured Sales representative. If you want to purchase it,
  [contact Unstructured Sales](https://unstructured.io/?modal=contact-sales).

  <Steps>
    <Step>
      Sign in to your organization's unique Unstructured account.
    </Step>

    <Step>
      If your organization uses more than one workspace in your account, use the workspace selector to choose your target workspace. Each API key works with one and only one workspace.
    </Step>

    <Step>
      Click **API Keys**.
    </Step>

    <Step>
      Copy the **Unstructured API Endpoint** value. This is your Unstructured API URL. Paste it into some secure location of yours.
    </Step>

    <Step>
      Click **Generate New Key**, enter some unique name for your new Unstructured API key, and click **Continue**.
    </Step>

    <Step>
      Click the pages icon (**Copy**) next to your new key to copy its value to your system's clipboard. Paste this value in some secure location of yours.
    </Step>
  </Steps>
</Accordion>

The REST API code examples throughout the documentation use the following environment variables:

* `UNSTRUCTURED_API_URL`, representing your API URL.
* `UNSTRUCTURED_API_KEY`, representing your API key.

To set these variables, see your system's documentation.

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Local file quickstart" href="/api-reference/workflow/overview#quickstart">
    Use Unstructured with cURL to turn local input files into
    structured data.
  </Card>

  <Card title="REST endpoints" href="/api-reference/workflow/overview#rest-endpoints">
    Call the REST API endpoints with cURL or Postman.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>