Source: https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/getting-started

# Get started

Both integrations start the same way: a test API key, the test environment and a fictional client. Then you choose a path.

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## 1\. Get a test API key

Generate test and production keys at [app.debitura.com/ReferralPartnerApiKey](https://app.debitura.com/ReferralPartnerApiKey), or ask your partnership contact. Keys are environment-specific. Send the key in the `XApiKey` header, from your server only.

The Starter Integration needs nothing more. The Full Integration also mints a short-lived bearer token per client. See [API keys and authentication](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/getting-started/authentication.md).

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## 2\. Build against the test environment

Every example in these docs uses the test hosts:

| Service | Test |
| --- | --- |
| Referral Partner API | `https://testreferral-api.debitura.com` |
| Customer API (Full Integration) | `https://testcustomer-api.debitura.com` |

Test data never reaches a collection partner, and emails to domains that are not whitelisted are suppressed. See [Environments and test data](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/getting-started/environments.md) for every host, `isTest` and resetting test clients.

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## 3\. Choose your path

| If you… | Start with |
| --- | --- |
| want users to send an invoice with one click and let Debitura handle setup | [Starter quickstart](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/getting-started/starter-quickstart.md) |
| also want to show the fee first, or show case status inside your app | Starter, then add [`POST /cases/preview`](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/integration-guides/preview-case-pricing.md) or [Customer API reads](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/integration-guides/case-submission.md) for the same client |
| want to design your own sign-up and agreement screens | [How the Full Integration works](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/getting-started/how-it-works.md), then the [Full quickstart](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/getting-started/quickstart-onboard-first-client.md) |

You can change your mind later. Starter and Full share the same clients and cases, so a Starter client can use Full endpoints at any time without onboarding again. The [Overview](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners.md) compares both paths side by side.

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## Before production

You'll need a production key and your [go-live checklist](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/going-live-checklist.md) completed. Branding (logo and colour) and the return destination for hosted pages are set on your partner account; see [Branding and hosted pages](https://docs.debitura.com/referral-partners/concepts/white-label-ui.md).

**Business context:** see [Getting started with Debitura](https://support.debitura.com/en/articles/13442644-referral-partners-getting-started-with-debitura) for the partnership steps.
