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

# Quickstart Guide

> In this guide, you will learn how to create a project, test email delivery using Quick Send and interact with the Send API — all in under 5 minutes!

## Step 1: Set Up Your First Project

A project is where all your emailing activities take place. We like to think of it as creating your mail server. If you haven't already, you'll need to [sign up for an account](https://smtpexpress.com/signin) before you can proceed. Once signed in, click `New Project`, provide a name that's reflect's your project's purpose, then hit Enter.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/smtpexpress/wOFUI6kxlh4ASM7h/assets/images/create-project.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=wOFUI6kxlh4ASM7h&q=85&s=38d133c60180776a38efefdfe15f14f3" alt="" width="1882" height="837" data-path="assets/images/create-project.png" />
</Frame>

## Step 2: Send Your First Email Using Quick Send

Now that your project is set up, you’ll find yourself on the project dashboard. Let’s test things out!

Click the `Quick Send` button to compose a message. You can use your personal email as the recipient for this email. Once you’ve written your email, hit Enter to send it directly to your inbox.

Simple, right?

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/smtpexpress/wOFUI6kxlh4ASM7h/assets/images/quick-send.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=wOFUI6kxlh4ASM7h&q=85&s=53beee29b9abd75024a7e678d6598aae" alt="" width="980" height="718" data-path="assets/images/quick-send.png" />
</Frame>

## Step 3: Connecting with the Send API

For context, we provide you with a default sender address in the form of `<project>@smtpexpress.email` which you will recognize as the sender of the email you received. You can learn more about [changing your sender address.](https://smtpexpress.com/signin)

Head back to your project overview where you will see your `Sender Address` alongside two other credentials; Your `Project ID` and your `Project Secret`.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/smtpexpress/wOFUI6kxlh4ASM7h/assets/images/secret.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=wOFUI6kxlh4ASM7h&q=85&s=992eb91ee93ab986d412f62926b1400d" alt="" width="786" height="306" data-path="assets/images/secret.png" />
</Frame>

For this example, we only require the project secret and the sender address. Your project secret is used to authorize your requests to the Send API. Here's a quick code example:

<CodeGroup>
  ```javascript Javascript theme={null}
  // npm install smtpexpress
  import { createClient } from "smtpexpress"

  const smtpexpressClient = createClient({
    projectId: "<INSERT_PROJECT_ID>",
    projectSecret: "<INSERT_PROJECT_SECRET>"
  });

  smtpexpressClient.sendApi.sendMail({
    subject: "My first email using the Send API",
    message: "Hello from the Express!"
    sender: {
      name: "SMTP Express User",
      email: "<INSERT_SENDER_ADDRESS>"
    },
    recipients: "<INSERT_RECIPIENT_ADDRESS>",
  })
  ```

  ```shell cURL theme={null}
  curl -XPOST 'https://api.smtpexpress.com/send' \
   -H 'Authorization: Bearer <INSERT_PROJECT_SECRET>' \
   -H "Content-type: application/json" \
   -d '{
   "subject": "My first email using the Send API",
    "message": "Hello from the Express!",
    "sender": {
      "name": "SMTP Express User",
      "email": "<INSERT_SENDER_ADDRESS>"
    },
    "recipients": "<INSERT_RECIPIENT_ADDRESS>"
  }'
  ```
</CodeGroup>

<Note>
  For this guide, use the sender address ending with `smtpexpress.email` that’s listed in your project overview. Attempting to use another email address will result in a failed request. Want to send from your own domain? [Here's how to connect your domain](/essentials/domains)
</Note>

## Next Steps

Congratulations! Now that you've gotten a feel of the Send API and how to send emails using SMTP Express, you can take your time to explore the rest of the platform or take a deeper dive into what SMTP Express has to offer.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="The Send API" icon="square-code" href="/send">
    Learn more about using the Send API to power your entire mailing activity.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect your Domain" icon="link" href="/essentials/domains.mdx">
    Personalize your sender address to match your business' website.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>