> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.bioinsight.illumina.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.bioinsight.illumina.com/connected-analytics/api-access/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

Use the Platform Core API to access Platform Core programmatically and automate common workflows.

The following chapter contain basic examples on how to use the API. These examples are based on using Python as programming language. For other languages, please see their native documentation on API usage.

### Prerequisites for Examples

* An installed copy of Python. (<https://www.python.org/>)
* The package installer for python (pip) (<https://pip.pypa.io/>)
* Having the python requests library installed (`pip install requests`)

### API Reference

There is a dedicated [API Reference](https://ica.illumina.com/ica/api/swagger/index.html) where you can enter your API key and try out the different Platform Core API commands and get an overview of the available parameters.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://help.bioinsight.illumina.com/connected-analytics/api-access/getting-started.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.