# Getting Started

This guide helps you get up and running with the Monato Direct Debit Platform. Before integrating, take a moment to identify which integration path fits your use case — the setup steps differ depending on how you plan to submit charges.

## Choose Your Integration Path

**REST API** — the right choice if you're building a programmatic integration, need real-time charge creation, or want to manage customers and instruments from your own systems. Requires API key authentication.

**SFTP / Bulk Collections** — the right choice if you process large volumes of charges on a scheduled basis and prefer file-based workflows. Requires SFTP credentials.

**Portal** — available to all merchants from day one. Use it for manual operations, reporting, file uploads, and to configure webhooks and generate API keys. No additional setup required beyond account creation.

Most merchants use the Portal alongside one or both of the programmatic paths.

## Setup Steps by Path

### API Integration

1. Log in to the [Monato Portal](https://directdebit.monato.com) and generate a **sandbox API key** under Settings → API Keys.
2. Review the [Authentication](/products/directdebit/content/getting-started/authentication) guide to understand how to pass keys in requests.
3. Use the [sandbox environment](/products/directdebit/content/getting-started/environments) to build and test your integration.
4. When ready for production, generate a **production API key** from the same Settings page.
5. Point your integration at the production base URL and go live.


→ [Start with the API Guides](/products/directdebit/content/guides/api)

### SFTP / Bulk Collections

1. Contact the Monato team to receive your **SFTP credentials** — these are provisioned at contract signing.
2. Review the [Batch Files Column Specification](/products/directdebit/content/reference/batch-file-spec) to prepare your charge request files.
3. Follow the [SFTP Onboarding guide](/products/directdebit/content/guides/sftp/onboarding) to upload your first test file.


→ [Start with the SFTP Guide](/products/directdebit/content/guides/sftp)

### Portal Only

No setup is required beyond your Monato account. Log in to the Portal to start viewing charges, uploading batch files, and generating reports.

→ [Portal Guide](/products/directdebit/content/guides/portal)