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

# Introduction

> Get started with BounceDetector API: obtain your API key and validate emails (single or bulk).

<Note>
  If you already have an API Key, you can skip to [Authentication](/authentication) or the [API reference](/api-reference).
</Note>

## Welcome

BounceDetector is an email deliverability and verification API. Use it to check whether an email address is valid, reachable, and not disposable or role-based before sending. This reduces bounces and improves sender reputation.

This documentation covers only the **API Key–authenticated** endpoints—the ones you call from your app or scripts. You can:

* **Verify a single email** — Check one address in real time.
* **Verify in bulk** — Submit a list of emails and get results as a batch job (with status polling).
* **List batches and verifications** — Inspect batch jobs and verification history.

To call these endpoints you need an **API Key** linked to your team. Keys are created in the BounceDetector dashboard and must be sent in the `Authorization` header as a Bearer token.

## Getting your API Key

1. **Sign up or log in** at the BounceDetector dashboard.
2. **Create or join a team** (API keys are scoped to a team).
3. Open **Settings** (or **Team** / **API Keys**) for that team.
4. Click **Create API Key**, give it a name (e.g. "Production"), and create.
5. **Copy the key immediately** — it is shown only once. It will look like `bdt_` followed by a long hex string.

Store the key securely (e.g. in environment variables or a secrets manager). Never commit it to version control or expose it in client-side code.

## Next steps

* [Authentication](/authentication) — How to send your API key with each request.
* [API reference](/api-reference) — Full details for each endpoint (single verify, batch verify, list batches, etc.).