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Helius uses API keys to authenticate requests. Every API request must include your API key to verify your identity and permissions. Agents can programmatically sign up for Helius accounts, create projects, and generate API keys using the Helius CLI. This article explains the basics of installing the Helius CLI, setting up your first account, and logging into an existing account.

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Getting Started For Agents

Here are the basic instructions for agents to programmatically create Helius accounts. For complete workflows, commands, exit codes, and more, reference the Helius CLI agent file.

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Install the Helius CLI

npm install -g helius-cli
For more info, see the Helius CLI repo on GitHub.

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Generate a Keypair

helius keygen
This will create keypair at ~/.helius-cli/keypair.json and return the wallet address to fund.

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Fund the Generated Wallet (Manual)

Send 1 USDC on Solana and 0.001 SOL to the wallet address provided in Step 2.

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Signup and Get an API Key

Once your agent’s wallet is funded, it can sign up for an account and create an API key: 
helius signup --json
Your API key is sensitive information that grants access to your Helius account. Never expose it in client-side code, public repos, or browser-accessible areas.

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Using Your API Key

Once your project is created, you’ll receive a response like this: 
{
  "status": "SUCCESS",
  "wallet": "YourWalletAddress...",
  "projectId": "project-uuid",
  "projectName": "Project Name",
  "apiKey": "your-api-key-here",
  "endpoints": {
    "mainnet": "https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=your-api-key-here",
    "devnet": "https://devnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=your-api-key-here"
  },
  "credits": 1000000,
  "transaction": "transaction-signature"
}
To extract your API key, use response.apiKey. To extract the RPC URL endpoints, use response.endpoints.mainnet or response.endpoints.devnet That’s it! Your agent now has a Helius API key that it can use as a query parameter in all requests.

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Log in with an Existing Wallet

If you already have a funded wallet with a Helius account use: 
helius login --keypair /path/to/keypair.json --json
Then retrieve API key with: 
helius apikeys --json

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Rate Limits and Credits

  • 1,000,000 credits on signup
  • Use helius usage --json to monitor remaining credits
  • Rate limits vary by plan

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Next Steps

Quickstart Guide

Start making your first API calls with Helius

API Reference

Explore all available endpoints and methods

View Plans

Understand Helius plans and upgrade options

Dashboard

Monitor your API usage and manage keys

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Support

Need help with the Helius CLI or have questions about API keys?

Discord Community

Join our Discord for real-time help and community support

Email Support

Contact our support team directly