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

# Introduction

> Build against Raff with the REST API, the CLI, or Terraform — pick the flavor that fits your workflow.

<sub>Updated May 10, 2026</sub>

<Note>
  The Raff public API is currently in **Beta** (v1.0.0). The endpoint surface is stable; minor backward-compatible changes may land before GA. Track them in the [API Changelog](/api-reference/changelog).
</Note>

## What is Raff?

Raff is a developer-friendly cloud for running virtual machines, block storage, object storage, managed Kubernetes, and VPC networking. This **Reference** tab is for driving Raff programmatically — REST API, CLI, or Terraform.

For product guides and dashboard tutorials, see the [**Products**](/products) tab.

## Pick your interface

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="REST API" icon="code" href="/api-reference/endpoints">
    Full HTTP API with an interactive playground. Auth via `X-API-Key`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI" icon="terminal" href="/reference/cli/introduction">
    Single static `raff` binary. Right for one-off ops, scripts, and CI/CD.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Terraform" icon="hashicorp" href="/reference/terraform/introduction">
    Declarative IaC. Right for production, code-review, multi-tenancy.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

All three talk to the same public API and use the same API-key auth, the same role-based scoping, and the same resources.

## Base URL

```
https://api.rafftechnologies.com
```

## Getting Started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get an API key">
    Open the [Raff Dashboard](https://app.rafftechnologies.com), click **Team & Projects → API Keys**, then **Create API Key**. Copy the secret immediately — it's only shown once.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick your interface and authenticate">
    * **API**: set the `X-API-Key` header on every request — see [Authentication](/authentication).
    * **CLI**: install with [`go install` or a release binary](/reference/cli/install), then run [`raff configure`](/reference/cli/configure).
    * **Terraform**: declare the [provider](/reference/terraform/install) and pass `api_key` (or set `RAFF_API_KEY`).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make your first call">
    * **API**: follow the [Quickstart](/quickstart) to list VMs and create one with `curl`.
    * **CLI**: `raff vm list` then `raff vm create --name … --template-id … --pricing-id … --region us-east`.
    * **Terraform**: copy the [Terraform quick start](/reference/terraform/introduction#quick-start) and run `terraform apply`.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Documentation index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: [https://docs.rafftechnologies.com/llms.txt](https://docs.rafftechnologies.com/llms.txt). Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.