.. _geodesic_basics:

Geodesic Basics
===============

The general workflow for using the Geodesic Python API is as follows:

1. Import the Geodesic Python API

.. code-block:: python

    import geodesic

2. Authenticate your :doc:`account<account_management>`. You will not need to log in each time you use the API. The credentials stored are long lived.

.. code-block:: python

    geodesic.authenticate()

3. Create a new :doc:`projects<projects>` and activate. 

.. code-block:: python

    geodesic.create_project(name="cookbook-examples", alias="Cookbooks Example Project", description="Test project for illustration purposes")
    geodesic.get_active_project("cookbook-examples")
   
For more indepth instructions on installing the python API, please visit our :doc:`Installing<installing>` page.