---
title: Quick Start
description: Make your first API call with earl in minutes
icon: Rocket
---

Make a GitHub API call with earl. Assumes earl is already [installed](/docs/installation).

<Steps>
<Step>

## Install a Template

```bash
earl templates install https://raw.githubusercontent.com/brwse/earl/main/examples/github.hcl
```

Earl prints the `earl secrets set` commands needed by this template.

</Step>
<Step>

## Store Your Token

```bash
earl secrets set github.token
```

Or pipe from an environment variable:

```bash
printf '%s' "$GITHUB_TOKEN" | earl secrets set github.token --stdin
```

</Step>
<Step>

## Validate

```bash
earl templates validate
earl templates list
```

</Step>
<Step>

## Make a Call

```bash
earl call 'github.search_issues(query="repo:rust-lang/rust is:issue E-easy", per_page=5)'
```

</Step>
</Steps>

After setup, [lock down your config files](/docs/security#file-permissions) so agents can't modify templates or network rules.
