> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zerodrift.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Quickstart
> Send your first piece of content through the Enforcement API in minutes
## Get started in three steps
Every result is a verdict. Pass. Fix. Block. Escalate.
Enforce your first piece of content with the ZeroDrift Enforcement API.
### Step 1: Get your API key
API keys live in ZeroDrift Command. Sign in, open **Settings**, then under **API** select **Keys**.
1. Select **Create first key** (or **New API key** if you already have keys).
2. In the **Create API key** dialog, enter a **Key name**, choose **Permissions** (Full access or Read only), and set **Rulepacks**.
3. Select **Create**, then **Copy** the key immediately — Command shows the full value only once.
Export it once and every sample on this site works as written:
```bash theme={null}
export ZERODRIFT_API_KEY="zd_..."
```
The key goes in the `x-api-key` header on all API requests.
### Step 2: Send content for enforcement
The quickest way to test the API is with a text snippet:
```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST "https://api.zerodrift.ai/api/v3/content/validate" \
-H "x-api-key: $ZERODRIFT_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "Our fund guarantees 20% returns with zero risk!",
"mode": "async",
"model_engine": "anchor_3_0"
}'
```
You'll receive a `job_id` in the response:
```json theme={null}
{
"api_version": "v3",
"job_id": "abc123def456",
"status": "queued",
"mode": "async",
"model_engine": "anchor_3_0",
"poll": { "method": "GET", "url": "/api/v3/jobs/abc123def456" }
}
```
`mode` is required. Enforcement runs on Anchor. `"model_engine": "anchor_3_0"` is Flagship (the default; older notes called this Base). Mini is `anchor_3_0_mini`; Max is `anchor_3_0_max`. Custom rules require Max — see [Enforce Content](/api-reference/validate/validate-content). See [Choose a model](/models). Use `"mode": "async"` for a job you poll; for short content, `"mode": "sync"` returns the completed verdict in a single response.
The same endpoint can enforce policies in other regulated industries:
```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST "https://api.zerodrift.ai/api/v3/content/validate" \
-H "x-api-key: $ZERODRIFT_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{
"content": "Send Jane Doe'\''s diagnosis and treatment plan to the entire partner mailing list.",
"mode": "sync",
"model_engine": "anchor_3_0"
}'
```
### Step 3: Get the results
Use the `job_id` to retrieve the results:
```bash theme={null}
curl "https://api.zerodrift.ai/api/v3/jobs/abc123def456" \
-H "x-api-key: $ZERODRIFT_API_KEY"
```
Poll until `status` is `completed` or `failed`. A completed response includes:
```json theme={null}
{
"api_version": "v3",
"job_id": "abc123def456",
"status": "completed",
"mode": "async",
"submitted_at": "2026-09-23T04:44:13.879781+00:00",
"model_engine": "anchor_3_0",
"result": {
"overall_status": "needs_changes",
"summary": { "do_not_send": 0, "send_with_caution": 1, "document_pages": 1 },
"revalidation_recommended": false,
"units": 1,
"cost": { "currency": "USD", "amount": "0.01" },
"violations": [
{
"rule_id": "guarantee_of_returns",
"signal_name": "Guarantees of returns",
"rule_type": "SLM_SIGNAL",
"severity": "send_with_caution",
"confidence": "high",
"quote": "Our fund guarantees 20% returns with zero risk!",
"fix": {
"action": "replace",
"suggested_text": "Returns are not guaranteed and involve risk."
}
}
]
},
"extracted_text": null
}
```
Read `result.overall_status`: `approved` is Pass, `needs_changes` is Fix,
and `do not send` is Block. Anything you would not apply automatically,
escalate to a human. See
[Get Verdict](/api-reference/validate/get-results).
## Next steps
Explore the full API capabilities:
What teams enforce with the API, and which guide to follow for each.
Verdicts, rulepacks, policies, and adapters in one page.
Full request and response details for the enforcement endpoint used above.
Browse the managed rule pack catalog.
Import a policy, train a policy-specific adapter, and enforce against it.
Produce a typed Python or TypeScript client from the OpenAPI spec.
Import a policy from Notion, Linear, Confluence, or Google Drive instead of uploading a file.
**Need help?** Contact us at **[support@zerodrift.ai](mailto:support@zerodrift.ai)**
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