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

# Quickstart

> Augment your LLM with a library of hosted MCP tools

OpenTools provides an API for LLM tool use.
Using an OpenAI-compatible completion API, you can access thousands of tools from our [registry](https://opentools.com/registry?category=api) through any supported LLM via [OpenRouter](https://openrouter.ai).
You can also use your own custom tools (`"type": "function"`) as before.

Let's say you're building "deep research for news about space" — your API request might look like:

```bash shell theme={null}
curl -X POST https://api.opentools.com/v1/chat/completions \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $YOUR_OPENTOOLS_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "model": "anthropic/claude-3.7-sonnet",
    "messages": [
      { "role": "system", "content": "You are a research assistant specializing in space exploration and rocketry news. Provide in-depth, factual information by searching for the latest developments in space missions, astronomical discoveries, and space technology, analyzing multiple sources, and summarizing key findings and scientific implications." },
      {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "What is the latest on the two American astronauts on the Starliner mission in the ISS?"
      }
    ],
    "tools": [{ "type": "mcp", "ref": "exa" }]
  }'
```

Let's break down a few key parts of the request:

| Line                                                 | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| ---------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `-H "Authorization: Bearer $YOUR_OPENTOOLS_API_KEY"` | You'll first need to [create an API key](https://opentools.com/dashboard/api-keys) which we authenticate with Bearer auth.                                                                                 |
| `"model": "anthropic/claude-3.7-sonnet"`             | We use OpenRouter to route requests to LLM provider that natively supports tool use. You can find their selection of models [here](https://openrouter.ai/models).                                          |
| `"tools": [{ "type": "mcp", "ref": "exa" }]`         | We're equipping our LLM with web search using the official [exa](https://opentools.com/registry/exa) MCP server. OpenTools handles authenticating to the [Exa API](https://exa.ai/exa-api) on your behalf. |

Instead of the usual "since my knowledge cutoff is April 2023, I don't have real-time information" caveat, you'll get a response like:

```json theme={null}
// ...
"content": "Based on my search, here's the latest information about the two American astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS):...",
"refusal": null,
"role": "assistant"
// ...
```