# Getting started

https://modelportal.ai/docs/getting-started

Read this group in order to go from sign-up to your first call and learn how models, keys and authentication work:

- [Introduction](/docs/introduction): what the platform does and how it differs from calling each vendor directly.
- [Quick start](/docs/quick-start): your first call in four steps.
- [Authentication](/docs/authentication): how to send your key with each protocol.
- [Models and identifiers](/docs/models): model IDs, provider identifiers and endpoint identifiers.