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

# Quickstart

Get started with virtual cards in just a few minutes. This guide will walk you through creating your first card, funding it, and making a purchase.

## Prerequisites

* A Platnova account ([sign up here](https://business.platnova.com))
* An API key (see [Authentication](/authentication))
* A customer created in your system

## Step 1: Create a Customer

Before creating a card, you need to have a customer in your system:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.platnova.com/v1/customers \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "first_name": "John",
    "last_name": "Doe",
    "email": "john.doe@example.com",
    "phone": "+1234567890",
    "date_of_birth": "1990-05-15",
    "country_code": "US"
  }'
```

## Step 2: Create a Card

Create a virtual card for your customer:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.platnova.com/v1/cards/create \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "customer_id": "customer_id_from_step_1",
    "currency": "USD",
    "brand": "mastercard",
    "wallet_id": "defaults_to_currency_funding_wallet",
    "amount": "100.00" // optional
  }'
```

## Step 3: Fund the Card

Add funds to your card from your wallet:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.platnova.com/v1/cards/{card_id}/deposit \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "amount": "500.00"
  }'
```

## Step 4: View Card Details

Retrieve card information including card number and CVV:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X GET https://api.platnova.com/v1/cards/{card_id}/reveal \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## Step 5: Monitor Card Activity

View all transactions and events for your card:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X GET https://api.platnova.com/v1/cards/{card_id}/events \
  -H "X-API-KEY: YOUR_API_KEY"
```

## Example Response

```json theme={null}
{
  "status": true,
  "data": {
    "id": "card_123",
    "customer_id": "customer_456",
    "currency": "USD",
    "balance": "500.00",
    "status": "active",
    "brand": "mastercard",
    "created_at": "2025-01-30T10:00:00Z"
  },
  "message": "Card created successfully"
}
```

## Next Steps

* Learn about [Card Management](/card/management) for freezing and unfreezing cards
* Explore [Funding & Withdrawals](/card/funding) for managing card balances
* Check out the [Cards API Reference](/api-reference/cards/create) for detailed documentation