# Getting started

Account required!
Using the Voice API requires [signing up for a free account](https://community.sinch.com/t5/Customer-Dashboard/How-to-sign-up-for-your-free-Sinch-account/ta-p/8058) on the Sinch Build Dashboard. If you haven't already done so, [sign up now](https://dashboard.sinch.com/signup)!

Follow the steps below to learn how to quickly start making calls using the Sinch Voice API:

## 1. Get your number

**Get your free Sinch testing number.** When you sign up for a Sinch Build Dashboard account, you get a free virtual number for testing. You must activate your test number before you can use it. To activate your number, simply click the [link](https://dashboard.sinch.com/numbers/buy-numbers?show=get-test-number&redirect=numbers/overview).

Need help?
## 2. Assign your number and get your credentials

**Assign your number to your Voice app.** After your number is activated, navigate to your [apps](https://dashboard.sinch.com/voice/apps). You'll be redirected to the **Test Application** which was automatically created for you. Under **Assigned Numbers**, click **Add Numbers** and assign your free number to your app.

Also take note of your app's **key** and **secret**, as you will need these to authenticate your request and make your call.

## 3. Make a call

Now you're ready to get started making calls with Voice API. The raw payload to make a text to speech call is below:


```json Payload
{
  "method": "ttsCallout",
  "ttsCallout": {
    "cli": "YOUR_Number",
    "destination": {
      "type": "number",
      "endpoint": "YOUR_Destination_number"
    },
    "locale": "en-US",
    "text": "Hello, this is a call from Sinch."
  }
}
```

The placeholder values included in the payload above are detailed in the table below:

| Placeholder value | Your value |
|  --- | --- |
| YOUR_Number | This is your test number that you activated in a previous step. |
| YOUR_Destination_number | This is a number you have verified in the Build dashboard. |


If you already have experience making API calls, you could create a simple app that makes the phone call in your preferred coding language, or even make a simple cURL command. Use the payload to make a `POST` API call to `https://calling.api.sinch.com/calling/v1/callouts`. Include authentication information in the header. Since this guide is intended for testing purposes, you can use your application key and application secret to authenticate using [basic authentication](/docs/voice/api-reference/authentication).

Alternatively, these guides will walk you through setting up a simple application in the following languages (make sure you bring all the information you gathered during this process!):

### Unified SDK guides

Our Unified SDKs provide cross-product functionality and streamline code development. Select your preferred language SDK and set up a simple application:

Node.js SDK
Java SDK
.NET SDK
Python SDK
### REST API guides

You can access the Voice API directly through HTTP requests. Select your preferred language and learn how to set up a simple application:

PHP
## Additional resources

[View the whole API Reference](/docs/voice/api-reference/voice).

If at any point you need more help, you can find support documentation and answers to frequently asked questions in the [Sinch Support Community](https://community.sinch.com/t5/Voice-API/tkb-p/VoiceAPI).