---
title: Quick Start
description: Send your first email in 5 minutes
---

## Send your first email

### 1. Get your API key

1. Sign up at [Plunk dashboard]({{DASHBOARD_URL}})
2. Create or select a project
3. Go to **Settings > API Keys**
4. Copy your **Secret Key** (starts with `sk_`)

### 2. Send an email

```bash
curl -X POST {{API_URL}}/v1/send \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_secret_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "to": "recipient@example.com",
    "subject": "Hello from Plunk",
    "body": "<h1>It works!</h1><p>Your first email via Plunk.</p>"
  }'
```

Response:

```json
{
  "success": true,
  "emails": [{
    "contact": {
      "id": "contact_abc123",
      "email": "recipient@example.com"
    },
    "email": "email_xyz789"
  }],
  "timestamp": "2024-03-15T10:30:00.000Z"
}
```

The email is queued and delivers within seconds.

## Use variables

Make emails dynamic with template variables:

```bash
curl -X POST {{API_URL}}/v1/send \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_secret_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "to": "user@example.com",
    "subject": "Welcome {{firstName}}!",
    "body": "<h1>Hello {{firstName}}</h1><p>Welcome to {{companyName}}.</p>",
    "data": {
      "firstName": "Sarah",
      "companyName": "Acme Inc"
    }
  }'
```

Variables use `{{variableName}}` syntax and pull from the `data` object.

## Send to multiple recipients

Pass an array to send the same email to multiple people:

```javascript
{
  "to": ["user1@example.com", "user2@example.com", "user3@example.com"],
  "subject": "Team update",
  "body": "<p>Check out our new features!</p>"
}
```

Each recipient gets their own email with personalized data if provided.

## Use saved templates

Create reusable templates in the dashboard, then reference them by ID:

```bash
curl -X POST {{API_URL}}/v1/send \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_your_secret_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "to": "user@example.com",
    "template": "welcome-email-template-id",
    "data": {
      "firstName": "Sarah",
      "verificationUrl": "https://example.com/verify/abc123"
    }
  }'
```

The template's subject, body, and sender settings are used automatically. Your `data` fills in the template variables.

## Track events

Track user actions to trigger workflows and build segments:

```bash
curl -X POST {{API_URL}}/v1/track \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer pk_your_public_key" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "user@example.com",
    "event": "signed_up",
    "data": {
      "plan": "pro",
      "source": "landing_page"
    }
  }'
```

This creates or updates the contact and tracks the event. Use events to trigger automated workflows.

## What's next

**Set up workflows** — Build automated email sequences with [workflows](/guides/workflows)

**Manage contacts** — Import and segment your audience with [contacts](/guides/contacts)

**Send campaigns** — Broadcast to your entire list with [campaigns](/guides/campaigns)

**Track engagement** — Monitor opens and clicks with [analytics](/guides/analytics)