Quickstart

What you'll do

1. Create an API key in the MARA Cloud portal.
2. Save the key as an environment variable.
3. Send a test request using Python, JavaScript, or cURL.
4. Verify the response and move to the next docs sections.

Before you begin

• A MARA Cloud account
• Internet access from your development machine
• One of:
  • Python 3.9+
  • Node.js 18+
  • cURL

Step 1: Create your API key

Step 2: Set your API key as an environment variable

export MARA_API_KEY="your-mara-api-key"

echo $MARA_API_KEY

Step 3: Choose a model

Step 4: Install the client (if needed)

pip install openai

Step 5: Send your first request

import os
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    base_url="https://bczfskny6zqw.poweredby.snova.ai/v1",
    api_key=os.environ.get("MARA_API_KEY"),
)

completion = client.chat.completions.create(
    model="MiniMax-M2.5",
    messages=[
        {"role": "system", "content": "Answer in 2-3 short sentences."},
        {"role": "user", "content": "Share a happy story with me"},
    ],
)

print(completion.choices[0].message.content)

Step 6: Run your file (Python / JavaScript)

python hello_world.py

Common first-run issues

• 401 Unauthorized: Check that MARA_API_KEY is set correctly and restart your terminal.
• 429 Too Many Requests: You hit a limit. Wait briefly and retry.
• Empty or missing output: Confirm you're using a valid model ID from the Model Catalog.

Next steps

• API Keys and URLs - Endpoint and auth setup details.
• OpenAI Compatibility - Drop-in OpenAI client usage patterns.
• Model Catalog - Compare models and capabilities.
• Function Calling & JSON Mode - Structured outputs and tool calls.