## Step 1: Get Your API Token

- Create a Name.com account
- Go to Account Settings → Security → API Tokens
- Issue both development and production tokens


You’ll use these tokens to authenticate all your API requests.

✅ Tip: Keep your API token secure — treat it like a password.

🔒 Note: If your account has two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, go to Account Settings → Security, and toggle Name.com API Access on at the bottom.

## Step 2: Choose Your Environment

Name.com offers two separate environments:

| Environment | Base URL | Purpose |
|  --- | --- | --- |
| Production | https://api.name.com | Live domain registrations, renewals, and management |
| Sandbox | https://api.dev.name.com | Safe testing and development — no real charges |


### Sandbox Notes:

- Use your username with `-test` appended (e.g., `reseller123-test`)
- The sandbox is API-only — not accessible through the browser
- Requires a separate sandbox API token
- Supports the Try It feature (limited to test environment)
- Includes preloaded testing credit
- Data does not sync with production
- Test domains must be registered in sandbox before use


## Step 3: Authenticate Your API Requests

Use HTTP Basic Auth with your username and API token.


```bash
curl -u your-username:your-api-token https://api.dev.name.com/core/v1/hello
```

For Sandbox, use your -test username and sandbox token. You can find this in the Name.com Web UI under Account Settings → Security → API Tokens

## Step 4: Make Your First API Call

Call the GET /core/v1/hello endpoint to verify connectivity:


```bash
curl -u your-username:your-api-token https://api.dev.name.com/core/v1/hello
```

A Successful Response should look like this:


```json
{
"server": "name.com api server",
"server_time": "2025-04-28T15:30:00Z",
"message": "hello world"
}
```

If you see this message — your authentication was successful!

## **Tip: Using "Try it"**

1. Go to an endpoint you'd like to test (e.g., `GET /core/v1/domains` → `ListDomains`).
2. Click the "**Try it**" button at the top right of the endpoint panel.
3. In the "**Environment**" dropdown (next to "**History**"):
  - Select **Mock Server** to test with sample responses (no credentials needed).
  - Select **Testing** to use the Name.com sandbox environment at `https://api.dev.name.com`.
4. Your sandbox credentials can be found in your name.com account under **Account Settings** → **API Tokens** ([https://www.name.com/account/settings/api](/)), in the **Development/Test Environment** section.
5. Use your name.com **Test Environment Username** and **Token** for the "**Try it**" page's `BasicAuth_username` and `BasicAuth_password` inputs, respectively. (Make sure you click **save** for each input.)
6. Click **Send** to make your test request.


**Note:** Only use sandbox credentials when testing in the development environment. Never use production credentials unless you are working with real data.

## Troubleshooting Common Issues

| Problem | Solution |
|  --- | --- |
| 401 Unauthorized | Check your username and API token; verify you're using the right environment |
| Permission Denied | If 2FA is enabled, go to Account Settings → Security and enable API Access |
| 404 Not Found | Make sure the domain or resource exists; in sandbox, register test domains first |


## Next Steps

- [Explore API Resources](/coreapi/namecom.api)
- [Read the Full API Overview](/api-overview)
- [Visit the FAQ and Troubleshooting Guide](/faq)