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

# Quickstart

> Get your first AI-powered voice assistant up and running in minutes

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/burki/Q6QsqhiYx_FQMiPX/logo/light.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=Q6QsqhiYx_FQMiPX&q=85&s=5a914e25515b826dbae9f93b7c48867b" alt="Burki Voice AI" style={{ height: '40px', marginBottom: '1rem' }} width="180" height="40" data-path="logo/light.svg" />

Get your first AI-powered voice assistant up and running in minutes!

This quickstart is the shortest path from an empty account to a working inbound or outbound call. You will create a Burki
organization, pick how AI providers are billed (managed Burki Cloud or bring-your-own keys), define an assistant with voice
and language settings, attach a phone number, and place a test call from the dashboard. After the steps below, continue with
[Getting Started](/getting-started) for team setup, security, and advanced configuration.

***

## Step 1: Create Your Account

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign Up">
    Go to [burki.dev/signup](https://burki.dev/signup) and create your free account.

    You'll receive:

    * **200 connected trial minutes**
    * **Trial phone number** (free for 30 days)
    * **Full access** to all features
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify Your Email">
    Check your inbox and click the verification link to activate your account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Access Your Dashboard">
    Log in at [burki.dev/dashboard](https://burki.dev/dashboard) to access the main control panel.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 2: Choose Your Setup Mode

Before creating an assistant, decide how you want to handle AI providers:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Burki Cloud (Recommended)" icon="cloud">
    **Easiest to get started**

    * No API keys needed
    * We manage all providers
    * Pay as you go
    * Best for: Getting started quickly
  </Card>

  <Card title="BYO (Bring Your Own)" icon="key">
    **Use your existing accounts**

    * Connect your own API keys
    * You pay providers directly
    * Platform fees only
    * Best for: Cost optimization
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Info>
  You can start with Burki Cloud and switch to BYO later, or use a hybrid approach with some services managed and others BYO.
</Info>

***

## Step 3: Create Your First Assistant

<Steps>
  <Step title="Click Create New Assistant">
    From your dashboard, click the **"Create New Assistant"** button.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Basic Info">
    * **Name:** Give your assistant a descriptive name (e.g., "Customer Support Bot")
    * **Description:** Brief description of what this assistant does
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set Up AI Configuration">
    Configure the three AI components:

    **LLM (Language Model)** - The brain

    * Choose a provider (OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, xAI, Groq, or custom)
    * Select a model (GPT-4o recommended)
    * Write a system prompt describing your assistant's personality and purpose

    **TTS (Text-to-Speech)** - The voice

    * Choose a provider (ElevenLabs, Deepgram, Cartesia, Azure, Inworld, Resemble, OpenAI, Kokoro, Uplift, Murf, or Soniox)
    * Select a voice that matches your brand

    **STT (Speech-to-Text)** - The ears

    * Deepgram Nova-3 is recommended for most calls; ElevenLabs, Azure, Uplift, Speechmatics, Telnyx, and Soniox are also supported
    * Choose your primary language
  </Step>

  <Step title="Assign a Phone Number">
    Your trial phone number is automatically available. Assign it to your assistant to start receiving calls.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Test">
    Click **"Create Assistant"** and call your phone number to test!
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Step 4: Test Your Assistant

Once your assistant is created:

1. **Call the phone number** assigned to your assistant
2. **Speak naturally** - the assistant will respond based on your configuration
3. **Check the dashboard** for call logs, transcripts, and analytics

<Tip>
  Use the **Live Transcript** feature in your dashboard to monitor calls in real-time and see exactly what's being said.
</Tip>

***

## Step 5: Making API Calls

Once your assistant is created, you can interact with it programmatically using the API.

### Get Your API Key

1. Click on your profile in the top right corner
2. Navigate to **API Keys**
3. Click **"Generate New API Key"**
4. Copy the key immediately (you won't see it again)

### Make Your First API Request

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash cURL theme={null}
  curl -X GET "https://api.burki.dev/api/v1/assistants/" \
       -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
       -H "Content-Type: application/json"
  ```

  ```python Python theme={null}
  import requests

  api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"
  headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}"}

  response = requests.get(
      "https://api.burki.dev/api/v1/assistants/",
      headers=headers
  )

  print(response.json())
  ```

  ```javascript Node.js theme={null}
  const response = await fetch('https://api.burki.dev/api/v1/assistants/', {
    headers: {
      'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
    }
  });

  const data = await response.json();
  console.log(data);
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Warning>
  Treat your API keys like passwords! Never share them publicly or commit them to version control.
</Warning>

***

## Minimal Example Configuration

Here's what a typical working setup looks like:

| Component        | Recommended Choice     |
| ---------------- | ---------------------- |
| **LLM Provider** | OpenAI (GPT-4o)        |
| **TTS Provider** | ElevenLabs or Cartesia |
| **STT Provider** | Deepgram (Nova-3)      |
| **Language**     | English (US)           |

You can always customize and add more advanced features later!

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Configuration" icon="brain" href="/ai-configuration">
    Deep dive into LLM, TTS, and STT settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="STT Providers" icon="waveform-lines" href="/stt-providers">
    Compare Deepgram, ElevenLabs, Azure, Uplift, Speechmatics, Telnyx, and Soniox STT settings
  </Card>

  <Card title="Phone Numbers" icon="phone" href="/phone-number-management">
    Purchase additional numbers or use your own
  </Card>

  <Card title="Knowledge Base" icon="book" href="/rag">
    Upload documents to make your assistant smarter
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" icon="code" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Full API documentation for developers
  </Card>
</CardGroup>