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

# Overview

> Set up your development environment to use the Archetype API with a client library in your preferred language

This page covers setting up your local development environment to use the Archetype API. You can use one of our officially supported client libraries or your own preferred HTTP client.

## Export an API Key

Before you begin, you'll need an API key to securely access the API across all client libraries. For support with API keys, please contact [support@archetypeai.dev](mailto:support@archetypeai.dev).

Once you have your API key, store it in a safe location and export it as an environment variable in your terminal.

<Accordion title="Export Your API Key on macOS">
  Export your key by running the following in your terminal:

  ```bash theme={"system"}
  echo "export ATAI_API_KEY='yourkey'" >> ~/.zshrc
  ```

  Reload your shell to activate the change:

  ```bash theme={"system"}
  source ~/.zshrc
  ```
</Accordion>

<Accordion title="Export Your API Key on Linux">
  Export your key by running the following in your terminal:

  ```bash theme={"system"}
  echo "export ATAI_API_KEY='yourkey'" >> ~/.bash_profile
  ```

  Reload your shell to activate the change:

  ```bash theme={"system"}
  source ~/.bash_profile
  ```
</Accordion>

Archetype client libraries are configured to automatically read your API key from the system environment.

## Install an Official Client Library

Archetype provides an official client library for Python, with more languages coming soon.

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Python" icon="python" href="/libraries/python">
    Official Python client for the Archetype platform
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

You can find the official Python client for the Archetype platform on GitHub at [https://github.com/archetypeai/python-client](https://github.com/archetypeai/python-client).

## Request a Library

Don't see a library for your preferred language? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us at [support@archetypeai.dev](mailto:support@archetypeai.dev) to request support for additional languages such as JavaScript, Go, Rust, or others.